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  • Kiwanis Nature Island Club represents Dominica at regional council meeting in Martinique

    Kiwanis Nature Island Club represents Dominica at regional council meeting in Martinique

    A landmark delegation from Dominica’s Kiwanis Nature Island Club made history as the largest contingent ever represented at the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District Division 27A Creole Caribbean Amazonia Division Council Meeting. The strategic gathering, convened in Martinique from November 21-23, 2025, brought together service organizations from across the region for intensive leadership development and collaborative planning.

    The Eastern Canada and Caribbean District (EC&C) orchestrates these pivotal meetings triannually during each Kiwanian year, creating a platform for clubs throughout the region to deliberate on constitutional amendments, vote on critical resolutions, and evaluate operational performance metrics including financial health and membership growth. This inaugural session of the year featured active participation from multiple territories including Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique, and French Guiana.

    Dominica’s record-breaking delegation showcased the organization’s deepening commitment to regional engagement, led by President Mary Winston and comprising Vice President Nicole Karam, Secretary Daniah Labadie, Treasurer Lisa Francis, and Public Relations Officer Laila Langford.

    President Winston characterized the experience as transformative for the organization’s mission. “The three-day intensive training under the thematic banner ‘Fuel the Passion and Change the Game’ proved extraordinary. The acquired expertise and methodologies will significantly enhance our capacity to honor our commitments to both the Kiwanis institution and the vulnerable children and families we support,” she reflected.

    Secretary Labadie, attending her inaugural council meeting, emphasized the profound lessons in collective action and guidance. “This conference illuminated not merely the techniques of influential leadership but its fundamental essence. I departed feeling both inspired and fulfilled, confident that our entire membership stands prepared to implement these insights for organizational advancement.”

    Treasurer Francis similarly reported renewed dedication, noting: “Participating in this Kiwanis convening under its dynamic theme constituted a genuinely inspirational journey. Engaging with fellow leaders and clubs has expanded my vision and rekindled my determination to elevate both personal performance and our entire Dominica chapter’s impact.”

    The Nature Island Club’s substantial involvement highlighted its strategic priority to fortify the Kiwanis network throughout Dominica while amplifying its service footprint across the Caribbean region.

    As an affiliate of Kiwanis International—a worldwide nonprofit service consortium dedicated to child welfare and community development—the Dominica chapter operates under the global motto “Serving the children of the world” through localized volunteer initiatives and public service programs across the island nation.

  • ECCO closes 2025 with $1.3m royalty payout

    ECCO closes 2025 with $1.3m royalty payout

    The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights (ECCO) has announced a substantial royalty distribution of EC$1.3 million to rights holders, marking its second major payout in 2025 and signaling robust growth in the regional music economy. This December 4th disbursement represents a significant increase from the approximately EC$1 million distributed in June 2023, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory in music collections throughout the Caribbean region.

    A notable 52% of the total distribution will be allocated directly to ECCO members within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), while the remaining 48% will be channeled to international rights holders through ECCO’s affiliated societies. This distribution model reflects the organization’s strategic shift toward prioritizing local creators while maintaining global connections.

    ECCO CEO Martin A. James attributed the increased local share to enhanced data collection methodologies and a refined operational strategy, particularly regarding live event monitoring. “The fact that over half of this payout stays with creators in our region demonstrates the vitality of our local music industry,” James stated, emphasizing the importance of sustained financial support for creators despite regional challenges.

    Despite these positive developments, ECCO continues to face significant obstacles including widespread non-compliance with copyright regulations, insufficient enforcement mechanisms, and limited operational resources. A persistent issue remains the substantial number of musical works used throughout the region that remain unregistered in ECCO’s database, preventing proper royalty distribution to rightful creators. Unmatched funds are held in trust for up to three years before being reallocated to registered members.

    Revenue for this distribution was generated through licensing agreements with broadcasters, live concerts, festivals, and hospitality venues across ECCO’s six territories: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

    Chairman Bruno Leonce highlighted the organization’s progress as evidence of the untapped potential within the Caribbean’s ‘orange economy’ (creative industries). “Both distributions in 2025 show what can happen when we support the rights of creators, even in a challenging environment of widespread non-compliance,” Leonce remarked. “Imagine the possibilities if every broadcaster, venue and business honored copyright laws. Our creators deserve a comprehensive system where their work is consistently and fairly compensated.”

    Established in 2009, ECCO serves as a critical bridge connecting Eastern Caribbean music creators to the global rights management network. With both collections and distributions showing steady growth, the organization reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that Caribbean musical heritage is properly valued, protected, and monetarily rewarded.

  • Europe is determined to thwart agreement on Ukraine, Russia denounces

    Europe is determined to thwart agreement on Ukraine, Russia denounces

    Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has expressed significant reservations about the recent U.S.-Ukraine discussions in Geneva, indicating Moscow remains skeptical about the proceedings and outcomes. Speaking to journalists, Ryabkov noted a concerning lack of clarity regarding how the Geneva negotiations concluded and raised questions about what he described as “destructive forces forming around the European Union” that he claims are attempting to undermine diplomatic progress.

    Despite these reservations, Ryabkov confirmed Russia’s willingness to engage with the peace agreement proposal that White House envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to present during his upcoming visit to Moscow. The Russian official emphasized that Moscow would work with whatever version of the plan Witkoff brings for discussion with President Vladimir Putin.

    The diplomatic movement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s November 25 announcement that Special Representative Witkoff would travel to Russia the following week with the aim of finalizing the administration’s peace proposal for Ukraine. This development comes after a high-level U.S. delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Envoy Witkoff, Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, and Presidential advisor Jared Kushner, met with Ukrainian officials in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the Trump-backed initiative.

    The U.S. government has maintained discretion about the specific details of its proposed negotiated solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that work remains ongoing and preemptively releasing information could compromise the delicate diplomatic process.

  • PHOTOS: Infrastructure Upgrades Continue in Paynters

    PHOTOS: Infrastructure Upgrades Continue in Paynters

    The Ministry of Works and National Housing has intensified its infrastructure modernization campaign in Paynters, deploying specialized crews to execute comprehensive road rehabilitation and community enhancement projects. This initiative represents a critical component of the government’s broader strategy to upgrade essential infrastructure throughout the region.

    Construction teams are currently implementing advanced engineering solutions to improve transportation networks, focusing on road durability, traffic flow optimization, and pedestrian safety enhancements. The development works extend beyond mere road repairs, incorporating holistic community planning elements that address long-term urban development needs.

    The ongoing upgrades demonstrate the government’s commitment to sustainable development practices, utilizing modern construction methodologies and materials designed to withstand environmental challenges while reducing maintenance requirements. These improvements are expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Paynters and surrounding communities, facilitating economic activity and improving quality of life for residents.

    Local authorities have coordinated with the Ministry to minimize disruption during construction phases, implementing phased work schedules and alternative route planning. The development initiative aligns with national housing and infrastructure priorities, reflecting increased public investment in community resilience and modernization projects across the country.

  • Gonsalves Seeks Historic 6th Term as St. Vincent and the Grenadines Heads to the Polls

    Gonsalves Seeks Historic 6th Term as St. Vincent and the Grenadines Heads to the Polls

    Citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are casting their votes in a pivotal general election that could either extend Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves’ unprecedented two-decade leadership or usher in a new political era. The 79-year-old leader, affectionately known as ‘Comrade Ralph,’ is attempting to secure a remarkable sixth consecutive term against a determined opposition challenging his prolonged governance.

    The electoral contest appears exceptionally tight, with both sides expressing confidence in victory. The ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) emphasizes economic progress, highlighting the World Bank’s projection of 4% GDP growth for 2025 and the transformative impact of the nation’s first international airport, which has significantly boosted tourism revenue.

    Opposition Leader Godwin Friday and his New Democratic Party (NDP) counter that these macroeconomic indicators haven’t translated into tangible improvements for ordinary citizens. They campaign on platforms addressing persistently high living costs and unemployment rates, promising job creation and economic relief.

    Campaign tensions escalated dramatically in the final days when Prime Minister Gonsalves made explosive allegations against the Trinidad and Tobago government, accusing them of financially supporting the NDP due to economic interests in St. Vincent’s growing economy. Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a strong denial of these claims, creating diplomatic friction during the election’s crucial phase.

    The outcome hinges on fifteen parliamentary constituencies, with the previous election seeing the ULP retain power with nine seats despite losing the popular vote—a result that adds additional suspense to today’s electoral proceedings.

  • Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited: Notice to Shareholders for Annual Report

    Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited: Notice to Shareholders for Annual Report

    Republic Bank (Grenada) Limited has officially published its comprehensive Annual Report for the fiscal year concluding on September 30, 2025. The document, which includes the company’s fully audited financial statements, is now accessible to shareholders and the general public through the bank’s official digital portal.

    Interested parties can obtain the report directly from the company’s publications section at https://www.republicgrenada.com/publications/annual-reports. This release represents a significant transparency milestone for the financial institution, providing stakeholders with detailed insights into the bank’s financial performance, strategic direction, and corporate governance practices throughout the 2025 fiscal period.

    The publication of audited financial documentation underscores the bank’s commitment to regulatory compliance and ethical financial reporting standards. NOW Grenada, a local media outlet, has explicitly stated it bears no editorial responsibility for the content or opinions presented within the report, noting that contributor content falls outside their editorial oversight.

  • Winti-organisatie vraagt Ashanti-koning publieke excuses voor rol in slavernij

    Winti-organisatie vraagt Ashanti-koning publieke excuses voor rol in slavernij

    The inaugural Afro-Surinamese religious organization Tata Kwasi ku Tata Tinsensi, established in May 2005, has issued a profound statement addressing historical accountability amid the current visit of Ashanti King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to Suriname. While acknowledging the symbolic significance of this historical encounter, the organization emphasizes that certain uncomfortable truths must be confronted regarding Africa’s complicity in the transatlantic slave trade.

    The organization highlights that historical records definitively establish the Ashanti Kingdom as principal trading partners with Dutch colonial powers, actively participating in the capture and sale of enslaved Africans. They contend that this painful legacy cannot be overlooked during the king’s diplomatic visit without addressing ancestral responsibilities.

    Tata Kwasi ku Tata Tinsensi insists that the Ashantehene, as leader of his people, must publicly acknowledge this historical role and express profound remorse to descendants of enslaved Africans in Suriname. The organization calls for a collective cleansing of what they term ‘internal baggage’ stemming from ancestral actions that violated human dignity.

    The statement graphically details the horrific circumstances under which captives were transported from inland regions to coastal forts like Elmina—often by their own tribal members—enduring burned villages, physical injuries, and family separations before being traded at fortress gates and loaded onto slave ships.

    Noting that Surinamese descendants rightly demand accountability from the Dutch state and monarchy, the organization maintains equal standards should apply to African leaders whose ancestors actively participated in the trade. They argue that without public acknowledgment and healing, what they metaphorically call ‘Africa’s maternal womb’ will find no peace.

    In a broader context, the organization revealed parallel efforts to address the Vatican’s historical role, referencing Pope Nicholas V’s 1452 authorization allowing Portugal and Spain to trade Africans as commodities—a decision that initiated centuries of suffering and dehumanization.

  • Government Urges Public to Get Flu Shot as Office of the Prime Minister Launches Vaccination Drive

    Government Urges Public to Get Flu Shot as Office of the Prime Minister Launches Vaccination Drive

    In response to escalating seasonal influenza activity, national authorities have initiated a comprehensive vaccination campaign urging citizens to seek immunization. The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) demonstrated institutional leadership by hosting an on-site vaccination clinic for its personnel through collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

    Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, confirmed that a medical team supervised by Nurse Soraya Dupy Winston administered influenza vaccines at OPM facilities Thursday morning. This initiative forms part of a coordinated strategy to enhance population protection against what officials characterize as a particularly severe circulating flu strain.

    During the post-Cabinet media briefing, Merchant emphasized vaccine efficacy and safety, stating: ‘These vaccinations are both effective and necessary as infection rates climb. They represent a safe solution that genuinely works.’ He highlighted the dual benefit of individual protection and community safeguarding, particularly for vulnerable groups including children and elderly family members during seasonal peaks.

    Health authorities continue monitoring increased influenza transmission that threatens to overwhelm educational institutions, workplaces, and medical facilities. The government maintains that vaccination remains the foremost intervention for mitigating severe complications and curtailing community transmission.

    Cabinet representatives affirmed the administration’s dedication to reinforcing public health readiness, especially during periods of elevated epidemiological risk. The promotional campaign underscores official commitments to preventive medicine and population health security.

  • Brazil’s STF upholds imprisonment of Bolsonaro and coup plotters

    Brazil’s STF upholds imprisonment of Bolsonaro and coup plotters

    In a landmark development for Brazil’s judicial system, former President Jair Bolsonaro and five of his closest associates commenced their prison sentences this Tuesday following the finalization of their convictions. The high-profile detainees include former Civil House Minister Walter Braga Netto, ex-Institutional Security Cabinet chief Augusto Heleno, former Defense Minister Paulo Sergio Nogueira, previous Justice and Public Security Minister Anderson Torres, and former Navy commander Almir Garnier.

    The detention hearings conducted represent standard judicial protocol designed exclusively to examine potential procedural irregularities or law enforcement abuses during the arrest process, without addressing the substantive merits of the convictions. Supreme Federal Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes issued specific guidelines for the executions of the arrest warrants, mandating that authorities conduct the apprehensions “with full respect for the dignity of the convicted individuals, prohibiting the use of handcuffs and avoiding any media spectacle.”

    Minister de Moraes further clarified that operational decisions regarding the use of institutional uniforms and necessary weaponry during the arrest procedures would remain at the discretion of the executing police authorities. The Attorney General’s Office has identified all six individuals as central figures within what it characterizes as a criminal organization, resulting in their convictions for multiple grave offenses including attempted coup d’état, violent efforts to abolish the democratic rule of law, leadership of an armed criminal organization, aggravated damage to state property through serious threats or violence, and destruction of historical heritage.

    Bolsonaro, who had been under preventive detention since Saturday after violating the terms of his electronic monitoring device, has now begun serving his extensive 27-year and three-month sentence at the Federal Police headquarters in Brasília. This case represents one of the most significant political and judicial developments in contemporary Brazilian history, signaling the judiciary’s firm stance against threats to democratic institutions.

  • Solid Waste Authority to Redraw Cleanup Zones as Illegal Dumping Surges Nationwide

    Solid Waste Authority to Redraw Cleanup Zones as Illegal Dumping Surges Nationwide

    In response to a mounting crisis of illegal dumping that has severely hampered national cleanup efforts, the Antigua and Barbuda Solid Waste Management Authority is undertaking a major operational restructuring. Cabinet officials confirmed on Thursday that the country’s bulk waste collection zones will be completely rezoned to address systemic inefficiencies.

    Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, detailed the challenges faced by cleanup crews, who are encountering rapidly re-accumulating waste piles in areas cleared merely days prior. This cycle of rapid recontamination has rendered the existing zoning framework ineffective, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul of operational protocols and geographical assignments for waste management teams.

    The rezoning initiative will be implemented alongside an expansion of roadside cleaning operations, particularly crucial after recent heavy rainfall triggered substantial overgrowth along roadways, drainage systems, and public areas. Merchant confirmed that additional personnel are already being contracted to manage the increased workload resulting from both the rezoning and vegetation management demands.

    Concurrently, a newly implemented fee structure for derelict vehicle removal is showing positive results. The $150 service charge has gained increasing resident participation, with growing numbers requesting the removal of abandoned automobiles from roadsides and vacant properties. Dedicated teams are now operating throughout daylight hours to transport these vehicles to appropriate landfill facilities.

    These operational adjustments occur within the broader context of the government’s ongoing national beautification and waste-control campaign, which aims to mitigate public health hazards, enhance sanitary conditions, and rehabilitate communal spaces. Merchant reaffirmed the Cabinet’s commitment to bolstering the operational capabilities of the Solid Waste Authority, expressing confidence that the strategic rezoning will significantly improve operational efficiency as the national initiative progresses.