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  • Rotary Club of Dominica hosts youth symposium on integrity and ethical leadership

    Rotary Club of Dominica hosts youth symposium on integrity and ethical leadership

    On March 21, 2026, the Rotary Club of Dominica wrapped up a highly successful Youth Symposium centered on the foundational theme “Leading with Integrity: Building a Culture of Diligence and Ethical Leadership”, held at the University of the West Indies Open Campus on Elmshall Road from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to an official press release from the Rotary Club of Roseau.

    The dynamic, interactive gathering brought together hundreds of upper secondary school students from Forms 4 and 5 across the island nation, alongside undergraduate learners from Dominica State College, creating a collaborative space for emerging young leaders to connect and learn. Designed as a targeted investment in Dominica’s next generation, the symposium aimed to inspire and empower young people by instilling core values, teaching frameworks for responsible decision-making, and nurturing a lifelong commitment to personal and community excellence.

    Over the course of the four-hour event, participants took part in structured talks and open, guided discussions that left them with actionable insights into how integrity, discipline, and ethical leadership can shape both their individual futures and the long-term trajectory of Dominica. Attendees were invited to reflect deeply on their emerging roles as community and national leaders, examining how ethical behavior influences outcomes across every sphere of life: academic pursuits, future professional careers, and personal relationships. Core session topics highlighted the non-negotiable value of diligence, personal accountability, and principled decision-making in an increasingly interconnected and complex global landscape.

    The event featured a diverse, distinguished panel of speakers from across multiple professional sectors, each bringing unique lived experience and expertise to the conversation. The line-up included Reverend Father Brancker John, a parish priest; Dr. Gilda Nesty-Tonge, a consultant psychiatrist; Ms. Chelsea Frampton, an attorney and international trade policy professional; and Mr. Kevin Julien, a practicing attorney-at-law. Every panelist delivered a memorable, impactful presentation that centered on the critical roles of integrity, resilience, and ethical governance in leadership. The interactive format of the day also created ample space for students to pose questions to panelists, share their own lived perspectives, and engage in constructive, meaningful dialogue across peer and generational lines.

    In closing remarks, the Rotary Club of Dominica reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to youth development and national building initiatives that equip young people with both the practical tools and moral foundation necessary to grow into accountable citizens and principled leaders. This symposium is just one component of the organization’s ongoing work to cultivate leadership capacity among Dominican youth, and to embed a widespread culture of excellence and community service across the island.

  • Fire at the Retirement Dump

    Fire at the Retirement Dump

    Residents across St James, Jamaica are grappling with lingering smoke from an unexpected vegetation and waste fire that broke out at the region’s Retirement Dump on Wednesday. The first report of the blaze reached emergency responders shortly before 3:00 p.m. local time, triggering an immediate deployment of fire suppression resources.

    Two fully equipped fire response units from the nearby Montego Bay fire station were dispatched to the scene within minutes of the alert, alongside a heavy-duty tractor brought in to help create fire breaks and contain the spread of the flames to adjacent areas. As of the latest updates, investigators have not yet pinpointed the exact cause of the fire, which ignited just one day after the entire region received heavy widespread rainfall that saturated the landscape.

    Since the fire first started, plumes of thick smoke have continued to billow from the dump site, gradually drifting into populated neighboring communities including Reading and Bogue. Local officials have not yet issued public health advisories for the affected areas, but residents have reported noticeable reductions in air quality as the smoke spreads across the region. Response teams remain on site working to fully extinguish the blaze, with updates expected once the cause is determined and the fire is fully contained.

  • Single-lane traffic along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard for MoBay 5K Night Run

    Single-lane traffic along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard for MoBay 5K Night Run

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Local transportation authorities have issued a public advisory for motorists traveling in the Montego Bay area, announcing a temporary single-lane traffic restriction that will be implemented on a stretch of Jimmy Cliff Boulevard this coming Saturday, April 4. The regulation will be in place from 4:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m. local time, to accommodate the popular Montego Bay 5K Night Run and Walk event, which draws dozens of participants to the coastal roadway each year.

    The section of road impacted by the traffic adjustment extends from the Aqua Sol recreational area along Jimmy Cliff Boulevard all the way to Howard Cooke Boulevard, with the restricted zone continuing through to Alice Eldemire Drive. During the six-hour window of the event, only one lane will remain open for through traffic, which is expected to cause moderate delays for commuters and private motorists traveling through the corridor.

    Transportation officials are urging all drivers planning to travel through the area during the event timing to map out alternate routes in advance to avoid congestion. The advisory notes that detours will help cut down on travel time and reduce crowding around the event area, allowing both participants and motorists to move safely through the region over the course of the evening.

  • Saint Kitts and Nevis signs landmark MOU with Special Olympics to advance inclusion

    Saint Kitts and Nevis signs landmark MOU with Special Olympics to advance inclusion

    BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – In a landmark step toward building a fully inclusive national community, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has formalized a three-year partnership with Special Olympics St. Kitts and Nevis, joining the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion Partnership for the 2026–2028 term. The historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony took place April 1 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, one day ahead of the official press release from the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS).

    Signing on behalf of the federal government was Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, who also oversees the Ministry of Social Development and Disability Affairs. Ivor Blake, National Director of Special Olympics St. Kitts and Nevis, signed for the local organization, with local Sports Minister Hon. Samal Duggins and Special Olympics Global Coalition representative Haylie Wrubel in attendance as official witnesses.

    At the core of the new partnership is a $105,000 government investment to scale up the award-winning Unified Champion Schools program, a globally recognized framework that leverages sports participation, youth leadership training, and whole-school engagement to break down social barriers and build welcoming learning environments for students of all abilities. The program first launched as a pilot in Saint Kitts and Nevis several years ago, reaching Cotton-Thomas Comprehensive School and two local primary schools. During the pilot, students with and without intellectual disabilities were integrated onto shared sports teams, playing and training side-by-side. Early results exceeded expectations, with participants reporting marked reductions in social stigma and widespread mutual respect among teammates that leveled the playing field for all learners.

    With the new funding and formal partnership commitment, the program will expand dramatically across the twin-island nation over the next three years. It will reach 18 total schools, provide specialized inclusion training for 80 educators, and engage more than 1,000 students – including 150 students living with intellectual disabilities.

    Blake framed the MOU as far more than an administrative agreement, describing it as a public declaration of shared values. “This is a celebration of partnership, of leadership, and most importantly, of a shared belief that every person, regardless of ability, deserves a place to learn, grow, and thrive,” he said at the ceremony.

    Lorna Bell, Executive Director of Special Olympics Caribbean, praised the government’s decision as a bold, unambiguous commitment to disability equity. “This symbolic signing makes clear that Saint Kitts and Nevis is committed to leaving no one behind,” Bell noted.

    Deputy Prime Minister Hanley called the opportunity to sign the landmark agreement an honor, emphasizing that intentional inclusion strengthens the entire social fabric of the nation by fostering a universal sense of belonging. “This sense of camaraderie and oneness breaks barriers and builds bridges that allow us to celebrate differences, while coming together as a community,” Hanley said. “Just imagine the global impact if every community embraced an inclusive mindset.”

    He also highlighted the decades-long success of local Special Olympics athletes in international competitions, noting that their achievements have had a transformative positive impact on athletes, coaches, family members, and the entire nation.

    “Let us continue to champion inclusivity, ensuring that every individual in Saint Kitts and Nevis has a chance to experience the joy of sports, the power of teamwork, and most importantly, the sense of belonging that comes with being part of a truly unified community,” Hanley added.

    The MOU builds on years of sustained policy work by the Saint Kitts and Nevis government to advance disability rights and accessibility. Since 2022, the administration has implemented a series of reforms to improve quality of life for persons with disabilities, including retrofitting public buildings to improve access, designating reserved accessible public parking, expanding accessible transportation options, and rolling out public services with formal sign language interpretation. In May 2025, the nation formally deposited its instruments of accession to the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities at the Organization of American States, cementing its legal commitment to disability equity at the regional level.

  • Government addressing challenges with Bypass Road Vending

    Government addressing challenges with Bypass Road Vending

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Amid a steady rise in the number of informal vendors operating across the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, national authorities have launched a coordinated effort to regulate the street vending sector, prioritizing public safety, proper land use, and sustainable livelihood support for local traders.

    The push for updated regulation comes in response to a growing trend of vendors setting up unauthorised operations in non-designated zones, most prominently along the busy bypass road corridor of the FT Williams Highway. During a recent parliamentary sitting, Environment Minister Joyelle Clarke outlined the scope of non-compliance across the Basseterre area, which includes unapproved vending in public green spaces and the construction of semi-permanent vending structures without official planning approval or safety inspections. Clarke confirmed that ministry officials have already begun one-on-one engagement with dozens of vendors operating in restricted areas to resolve the situation.

    “For every vendor who has set up on a green space without permission, we engage several times to explain to them this is not a place that’s authorised for vending. Either it’s going to create an environmental problem or a traffic congestion problem,” Clarke told the National Assembly.

    In a departure from heavy-handed enforcement, the Ministry of Sustainable Development has adopted a supportive, livelihood-first approach to relocation, Clarke explained. Recognizing that street vending serves as a critical source of household income for many local families, the ministry prioritizes connecting vendors with alternative approved vending locations wherever possible. In cases where a designated commercial spot is not immediately available, officials grant vendors extended timelines to secure new sites and offer logistical support to complete relocation, rather than imposing immediate fines or removals.

    This current effort builds on earlier action taken by the previous national administration, which relocated unauthorised street vendors from central Basseterre thoroughfares to two designated hubs: the central Basseterre Public Market and the Agri-Strip vending zone in Ponds Pasture.

    Clarke highlighted specific public health and environmental risks linked to unregulated operations along the FT Williams Highway, where the number of informal coconut sellers, food stalls, and even mobile bars has surged in recent months. Beyond creating visual blight along the major roadway, discarded coconut husks left on-site by vendors create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of vector-borne disease outbreaks for nearby communities and placing extra strain on public health resources, the minister noted.

    To address immediate risks, Clarke is calling on all vendors to adopt daily clean-up practices for their operating zones. “So we’re asking you kindly to take everything with you when you leave. For those of you who have permission to set up and sell under your tents, you know that the permission comes with a caveat: you have to move everything at the end of the day,” she said. She added that the Ponds Farmers Market Strip is reserved exclusively for agricultural producers, and any non-farming vendors seeking to operate in the area must first apply for official approval from the Ministry of Sustainable Development to access a suitable legally designated spot.

    While the ministry acknowledges that the growth of local vending reflects economic activity in Basseterre, officials are urging all informal traders to collaborate with government regulators to formalize their operations. “The Ministry is recognising that the growth in vending in Basseterre. We’re recognising this growth, but we’re asking you to connect with us and the Department of Physical Planning or the Department of Urban Development and Resilience for us to assign you to a designated location for vending,” Clarke said. She also confirmed that some high-risk areas, including the Greenlands district, remain strictly off-limits for all informal vending operations.

  • Labourer charged with cricketer’s murder

    Labourer charged with cricketer’s murder

    A 47-year-old labourer has made his first court appearance following his arrest last week on a charge of murdering a 28-year-old club cricketer in Trinidad. Rakesh Jaggernauth, who also goes by the alternative names Rakesh Lalman and “Bowlin” and resides in Hermitage Village close to San Fernando, was taken into custody by law enforcement in Couva this past Saturday.

    On yesterday’s hearing before San Fernando Master Shabaana Shah, the formal murder charge was formally read out in open court. Court documents allege that between March 16 and 17, Jaggernauth killed Rashme Deoajit at a property on Boodram Trace in Granville, Cedros. The charge was officially filed by police constable La Rode on Wednesday, and Jaggernauth was not required to enter a plea at this early procedural hearing.

    Jaggernauth was represented in court by defense attorney Krysan Rambert, while the case was prosecuted by acting police sergeant Reagan Ramanan. After Shah walked the defendant through his legal rights, bail was denied, and Jaggernauth was ordered to be held in official custody. His next scheduled court appearance is set for April 20.

    Deoajit, the victim, was both an active club-level cricketer and a sales merchandiser. Her body was discovered by concerned relatives, who gained entry to her Granville home through a window after being unable to contact her. They found Deoajit unresponsive and covered in blood in her bedroom; an initial examination confirmed she had suffered multiple stab wounds and a cut to her throat.

  • Missing Owia fisherman presumed dead

    Missing Owia fisherman presumed dead

    A widespread search and rescue operation is underway off the coast of northeastern St. Vincent after a 51-year-old local fisherman and farmer failed to return from a solo fishing trip, leaving his long-term partner convinced he has been lost to the dangerous waters the region is known for. Robert Lavia, widely known to local residents as Robbie, set out from his home in Owia at approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday, heading to a stretch of coastline between Rock Gutter and Cramacou, a fishing spot he had frequented in the past.

    According to Annis “Janice” Hoyte, Lavia’s common-law wife for more than two decades, the experienced outdoorsman prepared for his trip a day in advance. On Tuesday, he traveled to a local river to catch crayfish, which he planned to use as bait for his scheduled fishing excursion. Like almost all of his fishing outings, Lavia embarked on this trip alone, carrying only a bucket, a bag, a cutlass, and his fishing lines.

    As the hours stretched into midday Wednesday with no sign of Lavia’s return, Hoyte began to grow concerned. Unused to him staying out this long without checking in, she alerted Lavia’s brother of her worry before filing an official missing person report with the Owia Police Station. The entire village mobilized quickly to launch an initial ground and shore search for the missing man, but as of Thursday, no trace of Lavia has been found beyond a single recovered fishing reel – details of where and by whom the reel was found remain unconfirmed.

    With no signs of life and the well-documented hazards of the area’s waters, Hoyte says she has abandoned hope of finding Lavia alive. Speaking through tears to reporters from iWitness News on Thursday, she shared her theory of what likely befell her partner: “Lavia was on a rock and a swell knocked him off the rock and he knocked his head and he fell in the water.”

    The coastal waters of northeastern St. Vincent have a long-standing reputation for strong, unpredictable currents and unexpectedly large waves, conditions that have proven dangerous for even experienced local fishermen in the past. Hoyte described Lavia as a quiet, reserved man, and said she is overwhelmed by grief at the prospect of having lost him.

    Local authorities have confirmed they received the missing person report on Wednesday, and official search efforts have expanded in the days since. On Thursday, a vessel from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard was spotted conducting patrols and search operations in the coastal stretch between Owia and Fancy, as authorities continue to comb the area for any sign of the missing man.

  • Authorities issue red flag alert for Puerto Plata beaches

    Authorities issue red flag alert for Puerto Plata beaches

    Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic – Local Civil Defense authorities have activated a full-coastal red alert for the entire Atlantic-facing shoreline of Puerto Plata this Friday, acting on official weather guidance from the national Dominican Institute of Meteorology. The alert, which remains in effect from 6 a.m. local time Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday, warns of life-threatening ocean conditions driven by a rare combination of atmospheric and hydrological systems.

    Meteorological officials explain that a stationary low-pressure trough, paired with persistent east-northeast winds and a strong anticyclonic system positioned across the North Atlantic, has combined to produce unusually large abnormal swells and powerful, unpredictable sea currents. These conditions create severe, immediate risks for anyone entering the water, from casual recreational swimmers to commercial and private maritime operations.

    Under the terms of the active red flag warning, authorities have ordered all operators of small and medium-sized vessels to stay docked in port across the entire affected Atlantic coastal stretch, which runs from the eastern edge of Saona Island all the way west to Monte Cristi. Notably, the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean coastline has not been impacted by the hazardous conditions and remains open to normal activity. For visitors heading to Atlantic-facing beaches, officials issued an urgent warning about an extremely high risk of dangerous rip currents, strongly advising all beachgoers to contact local lifeguard and rescue services before attempting to enter the water.

    With the Easter holiday bringing a surge of domestic and international travelers to Puerto Plata’s popular coastal destinations, the Civil Defense has issued a direct appeal to both local residents and visiting tourists: comply strictly with the red flag warning and avoid all recreational swimming in the Atlantic this weekend. Authorities add that they have deployed additional monitoring personnel to the coast and will maintain 24/7 real-time surveillance of changing ocean and weather conditions, issuing immediate public updates if conditions shift or the alert timeline is adjusted.

  • COE expands green alert to six areas amid trough effects

    COE expands green alert to six areas amid trough effects

    In the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo, national emergency officials have broadened a green weather alert to cover five inland provinces and the country’s National District, responding to an unstable weather trough that is disrupting atmospheric conditions across the entire island nation.

    Data collected from satellite monitoring systems and ground-based weather radar confirms that the system has driven a sharp increase in cloud formation across the affected regions. This buildup of cloud cover is expected to produce moderate to intense rainfall through the coming days, paired with scattered isolated thunderstorms and sudden gusty winds that could create hazardous conditions for local communities.

    The areas officially placed under the expanded green alert are the province of Santo Domingo, the National District, San Cristóbal, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, and San José de Ocoa. Green alerts, the lowest tier of weather warnings in the Dominican Republic’s emergency system, are issued to inform the public of developing dangerous conditions that require heightened awareness and preparation.

    Emergency management authorities have issued clear guidance for residents in all affected zones to mitigate risk. The public has been strongly advised against attempting to cross swollen rivers, fast-flowing streams, and rain-swollen ravines, as rising water levels can create sudden life-threatening hazards. Additionally, residents and visitors have been instructed to avoid all recreational water sites, including beaches and inland swimming spots, across the warning areas until conditions improve.

    Along the Dominican Republic’s Atlantic coastline, stretching from the eastern edge of Saona Island northward to Monte Cristi, additional precautions are in place for maritime traffic. Operators of small, structurally less sturdy vessels have been told to keep their boats docked in port, as sustained strong winds and choppy, dangerous wave conditions put small craft at high risk of capsizing or distress.

  • Inmates join Holy Week safety operations as part of a pilot program

    Inmates join Holy Week safety operations as part of a pilot program

    In a groundbreaking move aimed at reimagining inmate rehabilitation, Dominican Republic authorities have launched an unprecedented pilot initiative that integrates currently incarcerated individuals into official Holy Week preventive operations, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the country’s Civil Defense and national Penitentiary System.

    The pilot program, centered on advancing meaningful social reintegration for people behind bars, marks a departure from traditional rehabilitation approaches by giving selected inmates a direct chance to contribute to public safety efforts during one of the country’s busiest annual travel and religious observance periods. The Directorate of Community Corrections confirmed that 10 inmates from various correctional facilities across the nation have been tapped for the initial phase of the project, with selections based strictly on consistent exemplary behavior during their incarceration.

    These selected participants will work side-by-side with trained Civil Defense teams throughout Holy Week 2026, supporting a range of prevention and public assistance activities as part of the annual emergency and safety operations for the holiday. Civil Defense director Juan Salas outlined the core vision behind the new framework, noting that the program is intentionally structured to create a tangible, practical pathway for reintegration rather than relying solely on theoretical rehabilitation programs.

    By participating in organized community service that directly benefits the broader public, inmates get the opportunity to rebuild connections with society and demonstrate their commitment to positive change, Salas explained. Government officials overseeing the initiative emphasized that the pilot is designed for gradual, data-driven expansion. Moving forward, authorities will evaluate participant performance and public impact to refine the model, with the long-term goal of creating a scalable platform that supports consistent rehabilitation and lasting social inclusion for incarcerated individuals across the country.