标签： Dominica

In a significant development at the Castries Port, four employees of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA) were apprehended following a high-profile drug bust. The arrests were the result of an intelligence-driven operation executed by the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) on Saturday, October 18, as reported by The St Lucia Times. The operation led to the interception of a motor vehicle driven by one of the SLASPA employees. Authorities discovered a barrel that had not yet undergone customs inspection, which upon further search, revealed substantial quantities of controlled substances, including cannabis and MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. The driver was immediately taken into custody. Subsequently, three additional individuals suspected of involvement in the incident were also arrested. The RSLPF continues to delve deeper into the matter, and the accused are expected to face formal charges this week.

The Global South Youth Activation Initiative, a pivotal event hosted by HICOOL in collaboration with The Ducreay Institute Limited, successfully concluded on October 18, 2025. Held during the 2025 HICOOL Global Entrepreneurship Summit, the initiative gathered delegates from over 70 countries under the theme ‘Empowering Global South Youth – Innovate, Lead, Transform.’ The event culminated in the Global South Youth Activation Conference, moderated by CGTN’s Idah Waringa, which centered on transforming education into employment and ideas into enterprise. Dan Qiao, Deputy General Manager of HICOOL, expressed gratitude to Global South leaders, reaffirming the platform’s dedication to tangible youth outcomes. Dahlia A. Ducreay, President of The Ducreay Institute Limited, highlighted talent as a cornerstone for emerging economies. Keynote speakers, including Professor Shahbaz Khan of UNESCO and Xu Xiang of the China Association of Small and Medium Commercial Enterprises, addressed the dual challenges of digitalization and decarbonization in labor markets, advocating for skill development aligned with employer needs. A Leaders’ Dialogue, featuring H.E. Franck Adjagba, Ambassador of Benin to China, and Ms. Nur Evi Rahmawati of the Indonesian Embassy, explored policies and partnerships to foster equitable economic growth. The Youth Interactive Dialogue showcased regional perspectives on bridging the gap between education and employment, with participants proposing initiatives like targeted internships and cross-border skill recognition. The event underscored the critical link between sustainable development and nurturing talent, emphasizing the need for inclusive and durable growth across the Global South.

FRS Express Des Iles has announced the suspension of its ferry service to and from St Lucia until Wednesday, October 22, 2025. The decision comes in response to an unexpected technical issue that has disrupted operations. This development follows a series of schedule adjustments and unforeseen cancellations over the past weekend. The company has assured passengers that refunds will be processed for those affected by the service halt. Details on how to obtain a refund have been provided in the official announcement. The temporary pause in the St Lucia leg of the service underscores the challenges faced by the ferry operator in maintaining seamless transportation amid technical difficulties.

Duhaje Jennings, a 38-year-old Jamaican beekeeper and entrepreneur, has been invited to participate in the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2025 in Brasília. Recognized as one of the Leaders of Rurality of the Americas by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Jennings is celebrated for his contributions to food security and environmental sustainability. The conference, organized by Brazil and IICA, will convene ministers and senior officials from November 3 to 5 to discuss the future of agriculture, emphasizing the role of science, technology, and innovation. Jennings, along with three other Leaders of Rurality, will share insights from their rural communities with the ministers. Jennings’ journey into beekeeping began in childhood, inspired by his grandfather. Starting with just five bee colonies at 18, he now manages around one thousand colonies annually through his company, Dada B’s, which also creates jobs and supports aspiring beekeepers in Jamaica. At the conference, Jennings plans to advocate for the inclusion of agriculture in school curricula, stressing its importance for regional food security. He also proposes exchange programs for Caribbean farmers to learn from successful agricultural practices in countries like Brazil. The event will also feature the 23rd Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA), IICA’s highest governing body. The conference aims to address the challenges and opportunities in agriculture, particularly in the face of climate change and food import dependency in the Caribbean.

Acting Police Chief Lincoln Corbette has announced a significant breakthrough in Dominica’s fight against crime, as a citizen voluntarily surrendered nine firearms to Sergeant Yankey of the St Joseph police station. The collection included rifles, pistols, revolvers, and 216 rounds of ammunition. Corbette praised Sergeant Yankey for his meticulous and professional handling of the situation. In addition to this, Corbette revealed the largest drug seizure in Dominica’s history, with 1,730 kilograms of cocaine confiscated, valued at approximately EC$46.764 million. This surpasses the previous record set in the early 1980s. The seizure was part of ‘Operation Clean Street,’ a joint initiative by the Regional Security System (RSS) and the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF), launched in late September 2025 to combat illegal firearms, narcotics, and violent crime. Corbette emphasized the importance of keeping such dangerous substances out of criminal hands. The operation also led to 24 arrests, including 19 males and five females, and the confiscation of significant amounts of cash and additional firearms. Corbette commended the officers involved for their dedication to public safety.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities across the Caribbean. Speaking at the 2025 Caribbean Disability Conference, themed “Breaking Barriers: Advancing Inclusive Education for All Abilities,” CDB President Daniel Best underscored the necessity of a unified regional approach to create inclusive societies. He cited findings from the CDB Regional Disability Assessment Report, which highlights persistent systemic exclusion faced by persons with disabilities in accessing essential services, education, and employment. Best urged governments, institutions, and communities to take decisive steps to dismantle these barriers. He emphasized that persons with disabilities deserve equal rights, dignity, and opportunities to participate fully in societal development. As part of its initiatives, the CDB has developed the Model Special Education Needs and Inclusive Education (SEND) Policy and Strategy (2024), aimed at transforming education systems to accommodate learners of all abilities. The Bank also prioritizes investments in early detection, teacher training, curriculum adjustments, and accessible infrastructure. Additionally, the CDB collaborates with the Caribbean Disability Network (CDN), supporting initiatives like the CDN Legacy Project in Barbados, which focuses on digital accessibility training and establishing an accessible technology hub. Over the past five years, the CDB has intensified efforts to enhance disability inclusion through funding, policy support, and technical assistance, as evidenced by its work in countries like Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Bank has also introduced practical tools, such as the Disability Inclusion Checklist and the Persons with Disabilities User Assessment Tool, to promote inclusivity in infrastructure and community projects. In a symbolic gesture, the CDB announced it would present its “Commitments to Inclusive Development” in braille to national associations for persons with disabilities.