作者: admin

  • National Secondary Schools’ Theatre Festival Declared Open

    National Secondary Schools’ Theatre Festival Declared Open

    After months of eager anticipation and meticulous preparation by student troupes, drama departments and organizing committees across the country, the annual National Secondary Schools’ Theatre Festival has officially been declared open. This landmark event, designed to nurture emerging performing arts talent among teenage students, brings together competing and participating theater groups from every region of the nation, each showcasing months of hard work in scriptwriting, rehearsals, costume design and stage production.

    Founded more than two decades ago to promote arts education in secondary schooling, the festival has grown from a small regional gathering into one of the most anticipated cultural events for young creatives nationwide. This year’s iteration features a diverse lineup of performances, ranging from original student-written plays exploring contemporary youth issues to reimagined adaptations of classic theatrical works.

    At the opening ceremony held at the national center for the performing arts, the minister of education highlighted the critical role that theater plays in building confidence, communication skills and empathy among young people. “This festival is more than a competition—it is a celebration of the unique voices of our next generation, who use the power of storytelling to share their perspectives on the world around them,” the minister stated in her opening address.

    Over the coming week, student performers will take to the stage across multiple venues, competing for top honors in categories including best production, best actor and actress, best original script and best direction. Audience turnout for opening day already exceeded organizers’ expectations, with thousands of students, teachers and arts enthusiasts turning out to support the young performers. Industry professionals from professional theater companies across the country are also in attendance, scouting for emerging talent and offering mentorship opportunities to participating students.

  • New Roseau mayor installed this week

    New Roseau mayor installed this week

    A new chapter of local governance is set to begin for the Commonwealth of Dominica’s capital city of Roseau, after political newcomer Lucy Belle-Matthew was confirmed as the city’s next mayor in an unopposed vote by the newly seated city council this week.

    Belle-Matthew, a resident of the Roseau suburb Fond Cole, first secured her path to the mayor’s office after winning a competitive race for the city’s Ward 4 seat in the March 2026 Roseau City Council Elections. In that head-to-head contest, she earned 408 votes, defeating challenger Sherman Boston who garnered 267 ballots cast in his favor.

    Her ascension to the top municipal role brings an end to the six-year tenure of outgoing mayor Sandra Irmine Royer, who held the position for two consecutive full terms. Royer first took office in January 2020 and won re-election to a second term in the March 2023 council vote.

    In her first public remarks following her confirmation as mayor-elect, Belle-Matthew expressed deep gratitude to her fellow council members for entrusting her with the leadership role. “Profoundly grateful to my fellow councillors for having placed their confidence and given this opportunity,” she said. “As Mayor elect for the City of Roseau, with a unified approach and hard work we will make that difference to move our City and municipality forward. Sleeves rolled back… Work will start.”

    As of this week, municipal officials have not yet announced a formal inauguration date for the newly elected council and incoming mayor, leaving the timeline for the official leadership transition unconfirmed.

  • Dominica Athletics Association to host 2026 National Junior Championship in Grand Bay

    Dominica Athletics Association to host 2026 National Junior Championship in Grand Bay

    The Dominican athletics community is gearing up for a major showcase of young sporting talent, after the Dominica Athletics Association Inc. (DAA) officially confirmed the schedule and details for its 2026 National Junior Championship. Scheduled to kick off on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Geneva Playing Field in the southern community of Grand Bay, the one-day competition will draw the country’s most promising junior track and field athletes, all competing to represent their local athletic clubs from every corner of the island.

    In an official press statement announcing the event, DAA outlined that nurturing emerging athletic talent remains a central priority for the organization. The association emphasized that consistent engagement with young athletes, regular progress monitoring, and ongoing access to high-quality competitive opportunities across the island are foundational to growing the sport. According to DAA, structured development pathways paired with steady institutional support do more than just boost individual and team performance: they help young athletes build self-confidence and foster stronger, more connected community spirit around local athletics.

    This year’s championship will feature a broad slate of competitions divided across multiple age groups to ensure every athlete has a chance to compete at their appropriate skill level. The event lineup covers both classic and modern track and field disciplines, including fan-favorite individual sprint races over 100 meters and 200 meters, plus exciting mixed-gender relay events: the 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays.

    The full event schedule starts with an official opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m., with all competitions concluding by 4:30 p.m. DAA has issued an open invitation to families, athletics supporters, and members of the general public to attend the event at Geneva Playing Field, encouraging locals to turn out and cheer on the young competitors as they represent their home clubs and communities. Beyond the competition itself, the association notes that the championship serves a longer-term purpose: creating a platform to expand the reach of track and field across Dominica while cultivating the next generation of elite national athletic talent.

  • APUA outlines how utility amnesty programme will work for disconnected customers

    APUA outlines how utility amnesty programme will work for disconnected customers

    Residential customers across Antigua who have gone months or even years without access to critical electricity, water, telecommunications or internet services now have a clear pathway to restore their access, after the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) published full operational guidelines for its long-awaited utility amnesty initiative this week.

    The amnesty programme is open exclusively to customers whose services were cut off on or before September 30, 2025, and runs through a strict application window that closes on May 29, 2026. APUA officials have already begun encouraging eligible households to submit their requests early, warning that last-minute surges in applications are likely to cause processing delays that could leave some applicants waiting longer than necessary for reconnection.

    To kick off the reconnection process, eligible customers must submit their applications in person at one of APUA’s two designated locations: the main APUA Business Centre situated on Independence Avenue, or the secondary office at Village Walk on Friars Hill Road. Along with a completed application, applicants are required to bring two critical documents: a valid, government-issued photo ID, and the unique APUA account number linked to the disconnected service. For tenants renting the property where service is to be restored, an additional document is mandatory: a formal permission letter from the property’s landlord that explicitly confirms approval for reconnection at the address.

    Once APUA’s administrative team reviews and approves a submitted application, the reconnection workflow begins. A key safety requirement has been built into the process for customers with extended disconnection periods: any property that has remained without utility service for a year or longer will require a mandatory full safety inspection before service can be turned back on. During this inspection, APUA technicians will assess wiring, plumbing and other critical infrastructure to confirm that all systems meet current national safety and regulatory standards. Even customers who have been disconnected for many years remain eligible for the amnesty, however, as long as they complete the full application process and pass the required safety inspection.

    APUA leadership emphasized that the programme was crafted to strike a balance between supporting vulnerable households and upholding public safety standards. By creating a formal, regulated pathway for reconnection, the authority aims to help struggling households regain access to basic utilities that are essential for daily life, while ensuring that all restored infrastructure meets required safety codes to protect both residents and utility workers.

  • 230+ Medical Volunteers Bring Faith and Free Care to Belize City

    230+ Medical Volunteers Bring Faith and Free Care to Belize City

    Starting on April 14, 2026, a landmark four-day free health outreach initiative has drawn hundreds of underserved Belizeans to the Belize City Civic Center, highlighting widespread unmet demand for accessible healthcare across the country. Organized by the Belize Union of Seventh-day Adventists, the initiative brings together a cross-functional team of more than 230 medical volunteers, combining international healthcare professionals and local clinical staff to deliver a full spectrum of no-cost services to community members.

    Unlike standard small-scale health camps, this expo offers comprehensive care ranging from general physical consultations and restorative dental work to specialized pediatric check-ups and women’s reproductive health screenings. It also includes complementary services such as pharmaceutical support, nutritional counseling, physical therapy, and public health education tailored to common local health risks. Zodaida Powell, a public health physician and health ministry assistant with the Belize Union of Seventh-day Adventists, outlined the scope of the volunteer team’s mission in an interview with local outlet News 5.

    Powell specifically emphasized the importance of the free cervical cancer screenings offered at the expo, urging women across Belize City to take advantage of the no-cost preventive care. She noted that the overwhelming community turnout confirms just how urgent the unmet need for accessible healthcare is in the region: by the end of the first day Monday, the volunteer team had already treated nearly 500 patients, with lines growing longer each successive day. “We expect more people to join us through the end of the event,” Powell said. “Today the line stretched further than we anticipated, so we just ask that community members remain patient as we work to serve every person who comes through our doors.”

    This event marks the first large-scale community health outreach of its kind organized by the Seventh-day Adventist organisation in Belize, and it kicks off a long-term expansion of the group’s public health initiatives across the country. Following the conclusion of the Belize City expo, the organization plans to host similar free health camps in rural villages, working to address the high prevalence of preventable conditions like obesity and chronic disease that drive mortality rates across Belize. Beyond clinical care, the expo also includes a wellness education section focused on healthy coping strategies, encouraging attendees to manage stress through faith-based practices rather than turning to alcohol, drugs, or other harmful habits.

    The free health expo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through Thursday, with a scheduled lunch break for the volunteer team each day. All community members are welcome to walk in and access services regardless of their income or insurance status.

  • Lovell Says All Saints West Has Potential to Become ‘Model Constituency’ with Targeted Development

    Lovell Says All Saints West Has Potential to Become ‘Model Constituency’ with Targeted Development

    At a packed town hall meeting held in Buckleys, United Progressive Party (UPP) All Saints West parliamentary candidate Harold Lovell has laid out an ambitious development roadmap that he says would unlock the constituency’s untapped potential and position it as a benchmark for sustainable growth across Antigua and Barbuda.

    Lovell opened his address by underscoring the outsize strategic importance of All Saints West, noting that the constituency holds unmatched weight in both national geography and electoral politics. Covering roughly 20% of Antigua and Barbuda’s total land area and home to nearly 10% of the country’s entire registered voter base, its unique landlocked geographic footprint spans across nearly every parish in the nation — a trait that Lovell argues gives it exceptional, underutilized development advantages.

    “It is a large constituency with tremendous untapped potential,” Lovell told gathered supporters. “We have everything we need to build All Saints West into the model constituency for all of Antigua and Barbuda.”

    To turn that vision into reality, Lovell emphasized that coordinated, cross-sector investment is non-negotiable. He outlined a holistic development framework that integrates upgrades to core infrastructure, expanded access to public health services, intentional community-building initiatives, and targeted programming for young residents. Lovell stressed that the constituency’s young people must be the central focus of any forward-looking development plan, as they represent the future of All Saints West.

    A large share of Lovell’s critique of the incumbent administration centered on the poor state of the constituency’s road networks, which he described as unacceptably substandard despite significant growth in national public revenue in recent years. “There is simply no excuse for All Saints West to remain in the condition it is in today, especially when it comes to our road infrastructure,” he said.

    Lovell pushed back against the government’s recent 40% hike to vehicle licensing fees, challenging residents to question where all the increased revenue collected from motorists across the constituency has gone. He also raised sharp questions around the transparency of the administration’s $100 million borrowing package earmarked for national road improvements, noting that no formal public spending plan has been released for the initiative to date.

    Lovell drew a parallel between the government’s unplanned borrowing and applying for a personal bank loan without a formal spending proposal: “The first question any bank would ask you when you ask for a loan is, ‘What is your plan?’ Right now, this government has no plan for these hundreds of millions in borrowed funds.”

    He acknowledged that local residents have already invested their own time and money into upgrading their private homes and neighborhood spaces, but argued that public sector development has failed to keep pace with these private efforts. If elected in the upcoming contest, Lovell pledged to implement a far more structured, transparent and accountable approach to governance that would deliver the tangible development improvements All Saints West residents have long waited for.

  • Unbeaten Saint Lucia win again in U16 netball

    Unbeaten Saint Lucia win again in U16 netball

    Three days into the highly anticipated Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament, Saint Lucia’s young female squad has maintained a flawless undefeated record, powered by a dominant 40-13 blowout victory over the Cayman Islands. The match, held on Monday, April 13 at the University of the West Indies Sport and Physical Education Centre (UWI SPEC) in St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago, saw 14-year-old goal shoot Neriah Charlery steal the show with a match-leading performance.

    Hailing from Blanchard, Desruisseaux, Charlery has emerged as one of the tournament’s most talked-about rising stars. Competing for club side Ruby Red Darlings, the teen has already built an impressive resume at the school level: she claimed Most Valuable Player honors for Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School’s Under-16 squad, and earned the title of best attacking player at the inter-school Under-19 championship final. Her explosive one-on-one play has left commentators and opposing defenses stunned. “Charlery of Saint Lucia, one-on-one she is devastating,” remarked the live stream commentator during the match against Cayman Islands. “Question is, how do you guard her?”

    Joining Charlery as a core leader for the squad is team captain Naija Ferdinand, a seasoned competitor who already holds experience at this elite youth level. A native of Micoud, Ferdinand is a student at St Joseph’s Convent and a member of the 2 Da Max Netball Academy. With just four returning players on the roster, Ferdinand has stepped into her leadership role seamlessly, according to head coach Shem Maxwell. “She has been a good leader and able to relay instructions to her teammates when given,” Maxwell said. “And she’s always at the forefront to assist.”

    The tournament marks a step up in competition for many of the Saint Lucia players, and starting centre Sanya Emmanuel has been one of the most impressive young athletes adapting to the higher intensity. Representing Ravine Claire, Soufriere and competing for the Little Sisters Netball Club, Emmanuel was named a standout performer by Maxwell through the first three days of competition. The coach highlighted that the entire squad has risen to the challenge of competing against top Caribbean youth talent after moving up from school-level competition.

    “Everyone’s trying,” Maxwell noted. “It’s a task for them coming from school ages into a competition like this, but like our centre, she’s doing a brilliant job, especially in the game [Sunday, against Dominica], on different days we see each person doing it differently.”

    With their undefeated streak still intact, Saint Lucia will put their perfect record to the test when they face Grenada on Tuesday afternoon. The squad will go on to meet two of the tournament’s joint title favorites, Barbados and hosts Trinidad & Tobago, in upcoming matches as they push for a tournament championship.

  • Anique Goodwin: Championing People-First Leadership and Inclusive Workplace Excellence

    Anique Goodwin: Championing People-First Leadership and Inclusive Workplace Excellence

    For more than three decades, certified Human Resources and Industrial Relations expert Anique Goodwin has centered her career on a simple yet transformative philosophy: prioritizing people to drive organizational success. Today, that approach continues to reshape workplace culture at Curtain Bluff Resort, where her decades of hands-on experience have fostered a respectful, growth-focused environment for staff and leadership alike.

    Goodwin’s journey in human resources began unexpectedly early, at the age of 17, when she took her first role at World Wide Tele Sports (WWTS). It was there that she cut her teeth in core HR functions, from recruiting new talent to designing initiatives that keep teams engaged and connected to their work. Even in those early years, she developed a knack for balancing what an organization needs to grow with what employees need to thrive—a skill that would become the cornerstone of her decades-long career.

    Over the years, Goodwin has built expertise across nearly every discipline of modern human resources. Her skill set covers end-to-end talent acquisition, strategic performance management, organizational restructuring, executive coaching, team development, employee conflict resolution, and large-scale change management. She also brings deep experience designing competitive compensation and benefits frameworks, as well as rolling out comprehensive workplace wellness, health, and safety programs that put employee well-being front and center.

    What sets Goodwin apart, however, is her deep-seated passion for growing the next generation of leaders and team members. She is dedicated to equipping both managers and entry-level staff with the tools they need to adapt to fast-changing, constantly evolving business landscapes. Rather than focusing solely on existing skills, she makes it a priority to spot untapped potential, nurture emerging talent, and create clear pathways for internal growth that empower individuals to hit their professional goals.

    When Goodwin made the move into the hospitality industry, her people-centered philosophy only grew stronger. At Curtain Bluff Resort, she has led the development of an organizational culture rooted in mutual respect, accessible opportunity, and continuous learning. This intentional investment in staff has paid tangible dividends for the resort: it has built extraordinary employee loyalty, fostered a collaborative environment where team members lift each other up and lead by example, and created a more consistent, positive experience for guests.

    In Goodwin’s view, hiring and growing talent is about far more than checking boxes for required skills. “It’s more than just skills—it’s about personality and potential,” she says. “When you invest in people, they invest in you.” She also emphasizes that consistent recognition of employee work is a non-negotiable foundation for a healthy, productive workplace: acknowledging the effort and contributions of team members builds trust and buy-in that cannot be replicated through policies alone.

    As a leader in the regional hospitality industry, Goodwin’s story is being highlighted as part of a series from the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality and Tourism Association (ABHTA), which celebrates the professionals who strengthen and grow the nation’s tourism sector. Audiences can watch Goodwin’s full story on ABHTA’s official digital platforms to learn more about her approach to people-first leadership. Through her unwavering commitment to putting people first, Goodwin continues to be a driving force behind building resilient, inclusive, high-performing organizations across the Caribbean hospitality industry.

  • Trump Orders Blockade of Strait of Hormuz

    Trump Orders Blockade of Strait of Hormuz

    A major escalation in US-Iran tensions has erupted in the Strait of Hormuz, after a new round of high-stakes negotiations between the two nations broke down in early April 2026. US President Donald Trump has ordered a full naval blockade barring all Iranian-flagged ships from passing through the critical global waterway, bringing the long-running standoff between Washington and Tehran to a new, dangerous boiling point.

    The collapse of weekend peace talks hosted in Pakistan paved the way for the immediate implementation of the blockade, which launched at the start of Monday local time. Speaking publicly to Fox News, US Vice President JD Vance framed the American action as a direct response to Iranian actions that the Biden administration previously labeled as a threat to global maritime commerce. Vance accused Iran of engaging in what he called “economic terrorism” by disrupting shipping through the strait, and justified the reciprocal US blockade with a straightforward warning: “If the Iranians are going to try to engage in economic terrorism, we’re going to abide by the simple principle that no Iranian ships are getting out, either.”

    President Trump amplified the aggressive tone of the US move in his own public remarks, issuing a stark military warning: any Iranian fast-attack craft that approaches the US blockade line will be sunk by American forces. According to reporting from CNN, a senior anonymous US official has confirmed that roughly 15 American naval vessels, led by a full-sized nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group, are currently deployed in the Hormuz region to enforce the new restrictions.

    Tehran has responded swiftly and furiously to the US action, with senior Iranian officials condemning the blockade as an unauthorized and destabilizing act of aggression. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi labeled the US move openly provocative, warning that it carries severe “dangerous consequences” for broader global peace and energy security. In a flurry of urgent diplomatic calls with his counterparts from Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Araghchi emphasized that the unilateral blockade risks upending security across the entire Middle East. Following the foreign ministry’s statement, Iranian military command confirmed that all of the country’s armed forces have been placed on the highest possible level of combat alert in response to the US deployment.

    Despite the sharp escalation and failed first round of talks, US officials have confirmed that diplomatic channels between the two nations remain open. Senior administration sources told CNN that plans for a second in-person negotiation round are already under preliminary discussion, leaving a narrow path for de-escalation even as military forces stand off in one of the world’s most strategically vital shipping lanes.

  • NBD Celebrates 48 years of service with a month of community impact and customer appreciation

    NBD Celebrates 48 years of service with a month of community impact and customer appreciation

    ROSEAU, DOMINICA – April 14, 2026 – What began as a milestone celebration for one of Dominica’s leading financial institutions has grown into a sweeping demonstration of corporate commitment to national progress, as the National Bank of Dominica Ltd. (NBD) wrapped up a full month of community-centered activities to commemorate its 48th anniversary, which officially fell on March 15, 2026.

    Unlike conventional corporate anniversary events focused solely on internal milestones, NBD structured its 48th birthday observance around three core values that have defined its nearly five decades of operation: deep community engagement, accessible financial education, and intentional gratitude for the customers that have supported its growth. From the start, organizers framed the celebration not as a victory lap for the bank, but as an opportunity to reinforce NBD’s role as more than a financial service provider – it is a dedicated partner to local communities across the island.

    The cornerstone of the anniversary programming was a series of targeted community outreach initiatives designed to uplift two often-overlooked groups: young learners and elderly residents. NBD’s team of financial educators led interactive awareness sessions at two local institutions – Isaiah Thomas Secondary School and Oasis Preschool – introducing early foundational concepts of saving, budgeting, and long-term financial responsibility to young Dominicans. For many participants, these sessions marked their first formal introduction to healthy money management, a skill bank organizers say is critical to building long-term individual and national prosperity.

    Beyond education, NBD delivered tangible, practical support to institutions in need. Oasis Preschool received an unrestricted cash donation to fund operational and infrastructure needs, while Isaiah Thomas Secondary School added a new microwave and projector to its classroom resources, upgrades that will directly improve daily learning experiences for students. Administration and staff at both schools have publicly expressed their sincere gratitude for the bank’s targeted investment in local education.

    The bank’s outreach also extended to elderly residents at the Mahaut Senior Citizens Home, where NBD staff delivered essential grocery supplies and a cash donation to cover the facility’s daily operational costs. Team members spent hours interacting with residents, sharing conversations and creating small, joyful moments that left a lasting impression on both guests and volunteers. Organizers of the initiative noted that the widespread smiles from residents and home staff stood out as one of the most memorable highlights of the entire anniversary month.

    In a nod to NBD’s belief that corporate impact should extend far beyond traditional banking transactions, the bank’s own employees led three volunteer-driven “Beyond Banking” community improvement projects throughout the celebration period. The projects included the development of a new 4-H Club school garden at St. Mary’s Academy, a full beautification upgrade at the Social Centre Model Preschool, and a broad recreation and education enhancement initiative at Coulibistrie Primary School.

    All three projects were completed through collaborative partnerships between NBD employees, local school leaders, parents, students, and community volunteers. Each initiative was tailored to address a specific local need, from upgrading under-resourced learning spaces to fostering greater collective community pride among residents.

    To close out the month of activities, NBD hosted a dedicated Customer Appreciation Week to honor the loyalty and trust that have sustained the bank through 48 years of operation. The appreciation campaign included interactive in-branch events for visitors and engaging social media challenges that invited customers to share their own experiences with NBD, creating space for two-way connection between the bank and the community it serves.

    Reflecting on the 48-year milestone, NBD senior leadership reaffirmed the institution’s long-term commitment to strengthening local communities, empowering individual customers, and advancing inclusive, sustainable national development across Dominica through responsible banking practices.

    As NBD looks ahead to its 50th anniversary and beyond, the bank said it will remain focused on three core priorities: driving innovative financial solutions for customers, delivering exceptional service quality, and continuing to make meaningful, targeted investments in communities across the island. In closing, NBD extended heartfelt gratitude to its customers, employees, institutional partners, and the wider Dominican public for their ongoing confidence and support over the past 48 years.