Authorities are currently investigating a devastating road accident that resulted in the death of 25-year-old motorcyclist Reon Dottin from Drax Hall Tenantry, St. George. The incident took place on Wednesday evening at approximately 6:48 p.m. along Haggatt Hall Road in St. Michael, involving a bus, a van, and Dottin’s motorcycle.
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Cruise Connect 2025 Charts Bold Path for Caribbean Cruise Tourism
The second annual Cruise Connect Conference, hosted by Antigua Cruise Port, a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding (GPH), concluded with resounding success at the Royalton Antigua in Five Islands. This landmark event brought together international cruise executives, government officials, tourism authorities, and private-sector stakeholders to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation in Caribbean cruise tourism. Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition, the conference delivered actionable insights on addressing evolving passenger demands, strengthening partnerships, and driving sustainable growth across the industry. Key highlights included Hon. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation, and Investment, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing cruise infrastructure. Erika Tache, GPH Vice President of Shore Excursions, Landside, and Guest Experiences, showcased groundbreaking innovations in guest experience design. Richard Diaz, Senior Director of Destination Development at Virgin Voyages, underscored the Caribbean’s strategic importance and the need for authentic, sustainable tourism experiences. Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, stressed the alignment of cruise development with national tourism strategies. Ceylan Erzi, GPH Marketing Director, highlighted GPH’s efforts to foster sustainable partnerships across its global network of 33 cruise ports. Lancelot Arnold, GPH Regional Director for the Eastern Caribbean, championed regional unity and capacity-building. St. Clair Soleyn, Director of Policy and Planning in the Ministry of Tourism, called for robust policy frameworks to support public-private partnerships. Gasper George, General Manager of Antigua Cruise Port, shared updates on the port’s upland development project, aimed at enhancing homeporting capacity and unlocking new opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda. The conference’s success paves the way for the next edition in Saint Lucia, reinforcing the Caribbean’s leadership in cruise tourism innovation.
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COMMENTARY: Caribbean Criminal Responsibility – Suffer Little Children
The age of criminal responsibility across the Caribbean reveals a stark disparity, ranging from as low as seven years in Grenada to thirteen years in Haiti. This inconsistency highlights the region’s struggle with juvenile justice reform, a topic that has long been debated globally. While modern criminal justice systems advocate for a minimum age of twelve, many Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda (8 years), the Bahamas (10 years), and Trinidad (7 years), have yet to align with this standard. The United Kingdom, despite expert recommendations, maintains a ten-year minimum, influencing its Caribbean territories like the Cayman Islands, which recently considered but did not adopt a twelve-year threshold. This reluctance to modernize has been criticized, particularly in light of rising juvenile crime rates. For instance, Jamaica has seen twelve-year-olds charged with murder, and the Cayman Islands faced a high-profile case involving a twelve-year-old accused of a gun-related offense. Critics argue that law reform bodies in the region should include not only prosecutors but also criminal defense attorneys, who bring firsthand experience and insight into the challenges faced by at-risk youth. The lack of progress in this area mirrors broader societal issues, such as the Cayman Islands’ failure to implement a comprehensive plan for youth violence prevention despite a significant budget allocation. As the region grapples with these challenges, the question remains: should resources be directed toward building more prisons or investing in alternative solutions to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency?
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Taxi Drivers Threaten Action Over Illegal Operators at Antigua Airport
Licensed taxi drivers at V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda have issued an ultimatum to authorities, demanding a crackdown on illegal operators by 1 October. The United Taxi Company, representing the drivers, has expressed growing frustration over the government’s inaction, warning of potential disruptions as the winter tourist season approaches. Vice President Gregory Ail emphasized that unlicensed drivers are operating without background checks, fees, or insurance, posing significant risks to passenger safety and undermining the livelihoods of lawful operators. Despite a fee increase last year, enforcement against illegal taxis remains inadequate, further exacerbating the issue. The drivers are calling for urgent talks with the police and Transport Minister Max Fernandez to address the situation. Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez has acknowledged the concerns but has yet to take decisive action. With visitor arrivals expected to peak soon, the standoff threatens to escalate into a public clash, potentially tarnishing the country’s tourism reputation.
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Dominica police force receives equipment for UN-funded regional pilot program
The Dominican police force has taken a significant step toward modernization with the introduction of a new Police Records Management Information System, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative, part of a regional pilot project, was officially launched during a ceremony on Wednesday, attended by key stakeholders including UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Stephanie Ziebell and Dominica’s Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore. The system, already operational in six Caribbean nations—Grenada, Antigua, Barbados, St. Kitts, Guyana, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines—aims to streamline judicial processes and enhance the professionalism of law enforcement agencies. Ziebell emphasized the UNDP’s commitment to supporting Dominica’s digital transformation and national priorities, calling the equipment a symbol of their enduring partnership. Blackmoore highlighted the project’s potential to improve productivity, decision-making, and crime prevention through advanced data analysis and centralized management. The initiative will equip every police station on the island with the necessary hardware and software, marking a transformative milestone for the Dominican police force.
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Write-Tukubuli showcase: J.R.R Casimir’s kin reads from penned biography of Dominican luminary
The inaugural Write-Tukubuli Virtual Literary Festival, held from September 15 to September 20, featured a compelling Authors Showcase spotlighting Kathy Casimir MacLean, a Dominican-born writer based in the UK. During the event, MacLean shared a poignant excerpt from her memoir, “Black Man Listen,” which delves into the life and legacy of her grandfather, J.R. Ralph Casimir. The memoir serves as a tribute to a man whose contributions to Dominica’s cultural and literary history had been largely overlooked.
In a November 2022 interview with Dominica News Online, MacLean revealed her inspiration for the book, stating, “I wanted to write ‘Black Man Listen’ to honor my grandfather and to tell his story, as it has been absent from our island’s historical narrative.” J.R. Ralph Casimir, a native of St. Joseph village, was a multifaceted figure—poet, editor, journalist, and bookseller. He is celebrated for publishing Dominica’s earliest poetry anthologies and for his pioneering Pan-Africanist ideals. Casimir was also a founding member of Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association, further cementing his influence on global Black empowerment movements.
Beyond her grandfather’s biography, MacLean has contributed to the anthology “Montage Dominik,” showcasing her versatility as a writer. Her participation in the Write-Tukubuli Festival not only highlights her literary talent but also underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating Caribbean heritage through storytelling.
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Tobago native plans historic 100K swim around the island in October
John Procope, a 49-year-old endurance swimmer from Tobago, is set to make history on October 10, 2025, with an unprecedented 60-mile (100-kilometer) swim around the entire island of Tobago. The ambitious endeavor, scheduled to begin at Store Bay at 8:00 AM, will see Procope accompanied by support swimmers Richard Conybear and William Carr, along with a dedicated team of helpers. This challenge aims to push the limits of human endurance, ocean navigation, and mental resilience, potentially marking the first recorded nonstop circumnavigation of Tobago. Procope’s upcoming swim follows his remarkable 24-hour, 22-mile crossing from Tobago to Trinidad on October 3, 2024, which fulfilled a two-decade-long personal ambition. His earlier swim honored open-water pioneer Raymond La Croix and echoed the story of Sandy, an 18th-century enslaved individual known for a daring ocean escape. Beyond athletic achievement, Procope’s swim seeks to raise awareness about the threats to the Caribbean’s marine ecosystems, including climate change, overfishing, and pollution. He also hopes to inspire investment in swimming education programs across Trinidad and Tobago. Procope emphasized the importance of protecting Tobago’s fragile coastline, stating, “Every stroke will be for our ocean.” The event is a call to action for media, educational institutions, sports communities, and the public to support his cause, which symbolizes resilience, optimism, and accountability for future generations. Proceeds from sponsorships and donations will benefit SpeSeas, a marine research and conservation NGO, and the Aqua-Smart Foundation, which promotes water safety education. For more information, contact John Procope at 1-868-377-7908 or [email protected].
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MP warns against sacrificing community for tourism at Holetown
Kerrie Symmonds, Member of Parliament for St James Central, has issued a stern warning against prioritizing tourism development at the expense of community livelihoods and public access in Holetown, St James. Addressing attendees at the St James Ideas Forum town hall meeting held at Frederick Smith Secondary School on Wednesday evening, Symmonds emphasized the need to address long-standing concerns over diminishing beach access for locals and the proposed redevelopment of the civic centre site.
Symmonds, who also serves as Barbados’ Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, revealed that he could no longer remain silent on the matter. ‘I felt a duty to speak out, as I have publicly remained quiet until now,’ he stated. ‘Being a senior member of the Cabinet, it’s challenging to publicly dissent from collective decisions. Therefore, much of the dialogue and negotiation must occur behind closed doors.’
He underscored the importance of balancing investment with community coexistence, stressing that development projects must not alienate or exclude local residents. ‘We must find a way to harmonize the Barbadian community with investment efforts. One cannot overshadow the other,’ Symmonds asserted. He pointed to examples in the Caribbean, such as Jamaica, where similar issues have led to division and tension. ‘This has never been the ethos of Barbados. Such scenarios breed discomfort, disquiet, and sometimes even hostility, which are contrary to our values.’
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Triple homicide under investigation in Canelles, Micoud
From October 17 to 20, Saint Lucia will host the third edition of the Island Challenge, a unique endurance event that blends athletic determination with charitable efforts to raise funds for neonatal healthcare. Organized by the Sandals Foundation, Unique Vacations UK Ltd, Island Routes, Sandals Resorts Saint Lucia, and the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, the initiative aims to secure £100,000 (EC$362,000) for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex. The SCBU, which annually supports approximately 180 high-risk newborns, will use the funds to enhance its life-saving services. Participants, including travel industry professionals and Sandals team members, will tackle a rigorous four-day course featuring long-distance running, sea kayaking, rainforest hiking, a half-marathon, and an ascent of the iconic Gros Piton. Dr. Damian Greaves, CEO of the Millennium Heights Medical Complex, emphasized the event’s broader significance, stating, ‘The Island Challenge represents hope. By merging tourism, philanthropy, and healthcare, we’re making a tangible difference for our most vulnerable citizens.’ Since its launch, the initiative has raised £200,000 for healthcare projects in Antigua & Barbuda and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Heidi Clarke, executive director of the Sandals Foundation, highlighted its community-driven impact, noting, ‘Improving healthcare access, especially for newborns, transforms entire families’ futures.’ Karl Thompson, managing director of Unique Vacations UK Ltd, described the event as a catalyst for change, expressing optimism for its continued growth and impact. Locally, the initiative is celebrated as a blueprint for socially responsible tourism, demonstrating how the industry can uplift critical sectors like healthcare.
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Population crisis threatens Dominica’s economic future, economist warns at business forum
Economist McCarthy Marie has once again highlighted the critical issue of Dominica’s declining and aging population, emphasizing its profound implications for the nation’s economic sustainability. Speaking at a recent Dominica Business Forum (DBF) event titled “Complexity of Trade, and Doing Business in Dominica,” Marie underscored the urgent need to address this demographic challenge. With 2022 statistics revealing 777 deaths compared to only 658 births—a net decline of 119—Marie warned that the island’s population of approximately 67,000 is insufficient to sustain a thriving economy. “The economy is not a separate entity; it is what we do,” he stated, stressing that without a robust population to produce and consume, economic activity will inevitably decline. Marie also critiqued Dominica’s trade strategy, advocating for a shift from low-cost, volume-based production to high-value, niche products. Drawing parallels to Fiji’s success with bottled water, he suggested that Dominica could similarly brand and market premium goods for global markets. DBF President Daryl Bobb echoed the need for open dialogue and civic engagement, urging citizens to actively participate in shaping the nation’s future. The forum painted a picture of a nation at a crossroads, grappling with demographic decline, trade limitations, and civic reluctance. The call to action is clear: Dominica must rethink its economic strategies and empower its people to drive meaningful change.