标签: Dominica

多米尼克

  • Tyrone Jarvis remanded into custody in Bozel murder case

    Tyrone Jarvis remanded into custody in Bozel murder case

    A prominent Dominican businessman has been formally charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an American tourist during the island’s Carnival celebrations, marking a serious incident that has drawn attention to violent crime in the Caribbean nation.

    Tyron Jarvis, a 40-year-old co-proprietor of TJ’s Enterprises residing at 83 Hillsborough Street in Roseau/Massacre, was arraigned before a magistrate in Roseau on Friday, February 20, 2026. The court formally read murder charges against him for the death of 47-year-old Arthur Bozel, a resident of Goodwill, Dominica, who was living in the United States and returning home for vacation during the festive season.

    Judicial proceedings revealed that Jarvis was not permitted to enter a plea during this initial hearing, as murder is classified as an indictable offense within Dominica’s legal system, requiring future proceedings in a higher court. The magistrate subsequently ordered Jarvis remanded into custody at the Dominica State Prison until his next court appearance, which has been scheduled for May 2026.

    According to official reports from the Dominica Police Force, the incident occurred on the night of Sunday, February 15th, on Independence Street in the capital city of Roseau. Preliminary investigations indicate Bozel was shot by Jarvis during an altercation.

    The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bozel’s death. Authorities are examining the events that led to the shooting of the US-based Dominican national, who was visiting his home country to participate in the annual Carnival festivities.

    The case has garnered significant local attention, highlighting concerns about public safety during major national events and the judicial handling of serious violent crimes. The adjournment of the case until May allows time for the prosecution to prepare its evidence for trial.

  • US Supreme Court rules Trump’s extensive tariff impositions illegal

    US Supreme Court rules Trump’s extensive tariff impositions illegal

    In a landmark constitutional ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has declared that former President Donald Trump’s expansive global tariff regime exceeds presidential authority and requires Congressional approval. The 6-3 decision represents the most significant judicial rebuke of Trump’s executive actions during his presidency.

    Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, a Trump appointee, authored a comprehensive 46-page concurring opinion emphasizing that “the Constitution lodges the Nation’s lawmaking powers in Congress alone.” The ruling specifically addressed Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the Court found never explicitly granted tariff-imposing authority to the executive branch.

    The decision invalidates two major categories of tariffs: country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs ranging from 34% for China to a 10% baseline for other nations, and a separate 25% levy on certain imports from Canada, China, and Mexico allegedly related to fentanyl control failures. However, tariffs imposed under different legal authorities, including those on steel and aluminum, remain unaffected.

    Economic data reveals these contested tariffs generated approximately $130 billion in revenue through mid-December, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Trump had controversially claimed the figure reached $3 trillion when including trade deal arrangements negotiated during his administration.

    The ruling culminates legal challenges from small business owners who argued the tariffs caused severe economic harm, increased consumer prices, and damaged manufacturing employment through higher imported component costs. Lower courts had previously ruled against the administration’s legal position, maintaining tariffs only during appeal proceedings.

    Responding to the decision, Trump promised to pursue alternative mechanisms to maintain trade pressures, stating: “Other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the court incorrectly rejected. We have alternatives. Great alternatives. Could be more money.”

  • Girl Guides of Dominica World Thinking Day activities celebrating 100 years of friendship

    Girl Guides of Dominica World Thinking Day activities celebrating 100 years of friendship

    The Girl Guides Association of Dominica launches a landmark celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of World Thinking Day, centering this year’s festivities around the powerful theme of “Friendship.” This extraordinary milestone unfolds through a meticulously planned series of events from February 22nd to 27th, engaging members, alumni, and the wider community.

    The commemorative week commences with profound solemnity on Sunday, February 22nd, as a special Mass is conducted at the historic Roseau Cathedral. The ceremony will be graced by the esteemed presence of Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, who holds the honorary title of Chief Guide. She will be accompanied by her husband, Mr. Burton, with additional participation from the National Scouts Organization, symbolizing a unified youth front.

    Intellectual discourse takes center stage on Monday, February 23rd, with a Centennial Panel Discussion hosted at the UWI Auditorium. Entitled “Bond That Time Could Not Break,” the panel will be accessible to a global audience via live stream on the association’s Facebook platform, fostering a digital dialogue on enduring friendship.

    Creative expression follows on February 24th, as participants channel the spirit of the centenary into arts and poster creation activities. These artistic endeavors are designed to visually commemorate the organization’s rich legacy and its core values.

    A vibrant display of unity and pride is scheduled for Thursday, February 26th, designated as National Pride Day. All current members and alumni across all branches—including Girl Guides, Rangers, Brownies, and Rainbows—are encouraged to don their formal uniforms publicly, transforming the day into a visible testament to their lifelong affiliation and pride.

    The celebratory week culminates in a spectacular finale on February 27th: a Talent Show hosted at the St. Martin Secondary School. This grand event promises to showcase the multifaceted talents of the youth, offering a dynamic and joyful conclusion to a week dedicated to reflecting on a century of empowerment, community service, and global friendship.

  • Next parliamentary session to convene February 23

    Next parliamentary session to convene February 23

    The Third Session of Dominica’s Eleventh Parliament is set to commence on Monday, February 23, 2026, marking a significant legislative agenda aimed at national development and regional cooperation. The Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that lawmakers will deliberate on five pivotal bills designed to transform key sectors of the nation’s infrastructure.

    Central to the parliamentary agenda is the Payment System and Services Bill 2026, which establishes a comprehensive licensing regime for payment service providers. This groundbreaking legislation expands regulatory oversight of financial infrastructure while strengthening consumer protections across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union.

    In a major push for public health advancement, the Food Safety Bill 2026 introduces enhanced inspection protocols and enforcement mechanisms to elevate food quality standards nationwide. The legislation represents the most significant update to food safety regulations in decades, providing strengthened safeguards for Dominican consumers.

    Regional integration takes center stage with the Caribbean Community (Movement of Factors) Bill 2026, which implements critical provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. This landmark legislation will facilitate the free movement of capital, right of establishment, and service provision across CARICOM member states, creating new economic opportunities for Dominican businesses and professionals.

    The healthcare sector undergoes substantial reform through two complementary bills. The Medical Profession Bill 2026 establishes the Dominica Medical Council to oversee practitioner registration, licensing, and professional conduct standards. Simultaneously, the Nurses and Midwives Bill 2026 creates a parallel council for nursing professionals, implementing robust standards for registration, professional conduct, and continuing education requirements.

    The parliamentary proceedings will be broadcast live through the Government Information Service (GIS) and Dominica Broadcasting Station (DBS) beginning at 10:00 AM, allowing citizens unprecedented access to these historic legislative deliberations.

  • Research analyst for Dominica-China Friendship Hospital presents numbers for 2025

    Research analyst for Dominica-China Friendship Hospital presents numbers for 2025

    The Dominica Hospitals Authority has demonstrated its commitment to operational transparency through a comprehensive performance review of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) for 2025. Presented by Health Management Information System Manager Mrs. Sherry Shillingford-Sorhaindo, the data-rich assessment reveals both significant achievements and emerging challenges within the nation’s healthcare landscape.

    During 2025, the facility documented substantial patient engagement across multiple departments. The hospital processed 25,259 patient visits through booked clinics, with 16,494 appointments successfully completed. The Accident and Emergency Department handled 22,863 cases, while surgical teams performed 1,644 procedures. The Imaging Department processed an impressive 21,720 patients, illustrating the institution’s critical role in national healthcare delivery.

    Inpatient services accommodated 5,915 patients across nine specialized units, with surgical and medical wards accounting for 38% and 35% of admissions respectively. Maternal services represented 15% of admissions, while psychiatric and intensive care units each accounted for 3% of cases. The average patient stay duration stood at 7.2 days, though psychiatric cases extended this average to approximately two weeks due to specialized treatment requirements.

    Bed occupancy rates revealed systemic pressures, with medical wards consistently operating at optimal capacity above 85% and surgical wards experiencing high utilization. Notably, the male psychiatric unit exceeded capacity monthly throughout the year, highlighting resource constraints in mental health services.

    The hospital celebrated exceptional maternal health outcomes with zero maternal deaths and only one neonatal death among 513 live births, positioning Dominica well below the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal threshold of 12 deaths per thousand live births. However, the report identified a concerning 6% decline in births from 2024, continuing a decade-long trend potentially influenced by environmental and pandemic factors.

    Mortality analysis indicated approximately 6% of admitted patients died, with the highest rate (30%) occurring in the Intensive Care Unit. Medical wards recorded an 11% mortality rate, while neonatal services maintained a minimal 0.6% rate.

    Surgical services achieved 79% theater utilization, with 75% of procedures serving public cases and 20% addressing emergencies. The outpatient department struggled with a 35% no-show rate, particularly affecting ophthalmology, orthopedics, and oncology services, causing significant appointment delays for other patients.

    The report confirmed that Marigot Hospital continues providing 24/7 urgent care services alongside specialty clinics, with medical staff from DCFH supporting operations. Dental services initiated in late 2024 continued throughout 2025, though specific metrics for dental care were not yet available for presentation.

  • Caribbean Archbishop supports Archbishop of Canterbury in response to Project Spire criticism

    Caribbean Archbishop supports Archbishop of Canterbury in response to Project Spire criticism

    In a significant address to international religious leaders, Archbishop Philip Wright of the Church in the Province of the West Indies has championed the Church of England’s controversial Project Spire initiative while challenging the global Anglican community to move beyond symbolic gestures in addressing historical injustices.

    The Archbishop’s remarks came during the “Breaking the Chains of Injustice” International Consultation, convened by UK-based charity USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). The gathering brought together 40 Anglican leaders from 31 nations to examine the persistent impacts of colonialism on indigenous cultures, languages, and territories across the Caribbean region.

    Despite the formal abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean in 1834, Archbishop Wright emphasized that the region continues to grapple with profound economic disparities, social inequalities, and environmental degradation directly linked to this historical legacy. He positioned the Anglican Church at a “significant moral crossroads,” noting that while acknowledgment of institutional complicity in the transatlantic slave trade represents a transformative opportunity, empty rhetoric could ultimately prove more damaging than the original offense.

    The Archbishop’s endorsement of Project Spire—a £100 million reparative justice initiative launched by the Church of England in 2023—signals growing momentum within religious institutions to address historical wrongs. This development follows a decade of intensified reparations advocacy, including CARICOM’s 2013 “Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice” and the CPWI’s 2015 motion supporting Caribbean reparations claims.

    Archbishop Wright clarified that reparative justice seeks not retribution but recognition of harms caused by centuries of enslavement, requiring “deliberate and intentional redress.” He cited both Project Spire and USPG’s Codrington Project as pioneering efforts in this direction. The latter initiative, launched in 2024, addresses USPG’s historical entanglement with slavery through Christopher Codrington’s 1710 donation of a Barbados plantation. The project aims to transfer plantation ownership to descendants of enslaved individuals and commemorate burial sites of those enslaved.

    USPG General Secretary Duncan Dormor reinforced the moral imperative for action, stating that reparative justice lies “at the heart of Christian mission today.” He emphasized the Church’s deep involvement in “brutal, inhumane, and shameful activities” of the slave trade and called for work toward repair and reconciliation conducted with “openness, humility and constructive critical reflection.”

    When questioned about practical support for Caribbean communities, Archbishop Wright emphasized that meaningful change extends beyond financial compensation. He called for collaborative efforts to build schools and hospitals, enabling Caribbean peoples to “step out of the legacy of this horrendous period of history” while acknowledging the substantial good the Church has accomplished in the region over centuries.

    The gathering received encouraging words from Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, who praised USPG’s “commitment to partnership, justice, and the flourishing of local churches” as continuing to bless the Anglican Communion in “profound and enduring ways.”

  • CWI signs  deal with official jersey sponsor

    CWI signs deal with official jersey sponsor

    Cricket West Indies (CWI) has secured a significant sponsorship agreement with Livpure, a leading water purification and home appliances brand, marking a strategic commercial partnership for the upcoming cricket season. The collaboration positions Livpure as the official jersey sponsor for the West Indies Senior Men’s Team during two major events: the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the team’s white-ball tour of India later this year.

    The announcement arrives during a period of competitive success for the West Indies squad, which has advanced to the Super Eight phase of the ongoing T20 World Cup. The team prepares to face Zimbabwe on February 23rd at 9:30 AM Caribbean Time, seeking to maintain their winning momentum through the knockout stages.

    CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow welcomed the partnership, stating: ‘This collaboration reflects the enduring global appeal of West Indies cricket and our ability to attract respected international brands. Strategic partnerships such as this are critical to supporting the growth, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of our game across the region.’

    CEO Chris Dehring emphasized the commercial significance of the agreement, particularly within the crucial Indian market: ‘This partnership reflects the strong commercial opportunities associated with West Indies cricket, particularly in key markets such as India. We look forward to working closely with Livpure to deliver value both on and off the field.’

    Under the agreement, Livpure’s branding will appear on the leading arm of the team’s jersey during the T20 World Cup in compliance with tournament regulations. During the India tour in September-October 2026, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is, the logo will be prominently displayed on the front of the team’s shirt, pending international playing condition approvals.

    Rakesh Kaul, MD & CEO of Livpure, expressed enthusiasm about associating with the iconic cricket team: ‘The passion, flair, and global fan base of West Indies cricket align strongly with our brand values. We look forward to engaging millions of cricket fans through this partnership during the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.’

    The sponsorship represents CWI’s ongoing initiative to develop sustainable commercial alliances that enhance team competitiveness while expanding the international footprint of West Indies cricket.

  • International healthcare accreditation and other improvements on the docket for Dominica, says DHA chairman

    International healthcare accreditation and other improvements on the docket for Dominica, says DHA chairman

    The Dominica Hospitals Authority (DHA) has announced a comprehensive strategic roadmap aimed at revolutionizing healthcare delivery on the island. Chairman Dr. Donald Peters revealed the multi-faceted plan during a recent press conference, outlining key priorities for the coming year.

    Foremost among these initiatives is the pursuit of international accreditation for Dominica’s medical facilities. Dr. Peters emphasized that this three-year endeavor, conducted in collaboration with Canadian authorities, would enable the hospital to serve international patients and meet global insurance requirements. “Our standards need to meet international standards to achieve this crucial recognition,” he stated.

    The chairman identified financial stabilization as perhaps the most critical challenge, noting that healthcare represents the most significant expenditure for governments worldwide. “Some governments simply cannot afford to make healthcare free due to the enormous costs involved,” Dr. Peters explained, contextualizing the global healthcare financing dilemma.

    A third pillar of the strategy involves enhanced collaboration with the Ministry of Health to address systemic inefficiencies. Dr. Peters revealed a startling statistic: 68% of Accident and Emergency department visitors present with non-urgent conditions like stomach aches or flu viruses. He made a public appeal: “Please go to your health center instead of coming all the way to Goodwill for non-emergencies so that critical cases can receive prompt attention.”

    The most technologically ambitious component involves implementing a nationwide Hospital Management Information System, with $8 million already allocated for the project. This digital transformation will digitize all medical records nationally, accelerating both diagnosis and treatment delivery while improving overall care quality.

    Dr. Peters also addressed the sensitive topic of medical fees, clarifying that the government subsidizes approximately 90% of actual costs. While the cabinet-approved charges appear modest—a $400 bill representing what should be a $4,000 service—he emphasized that these payments remain essential for the hospital’s financial viability.

    The chairman concluded by noting that the Dominican government allocates approximately $28 million daily to healthcare, with a significant portion directed to hospital operations, underscoring the substantial investment required to maintain the nation’s health infrastructure.

  • African Union again signs resolution against US-Cuba blockade

    African Union again signs resolution against US-Cuba blockade

    For the seventeenth consecutive year, the African Union (AU) has delivered a powerful diplomatic rebuke to the United States by formally condemning its protracted economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba. The recently approved resolution, detailed in an official release from the Cuban Embassy in Ethiopia, characterizes the six-decade-long policy as a severe impediment to Cuban development and a profound burden on its citizenry.

    A central and recurring demand within the resolution is the urgent call for Washington to remove Cuba from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list. The AU describes this designation as both arbitrary and unjustified, framing it as a political instrument that provides a foundation for maintaining the stringent embargo. The document further emphasizes the moral and legal obligation to revoke this classification.

    The resolution articulates deep concern regarding the intensifying negative impacts of the U.S. sanctions, which have been exacerbated by global economic pressures following the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant point of condemnation is the extraterritorial application of U.S. law, specifically through Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. This provision, which allows U.S. nationals to sue entities engaging in business with Cuban assets nationalized after the 1959 revolution, effectively internationalizes the blockade and cripples Cuba’s capacity to participate in global trade and finance.

    Beyond the critique, the resolution serves to reaffirm the deep-seated historical and political bonds between African nations and Cuba, rooted in decades of solidarity and mutual support. It stands as a clear manifestation of Africa’s collective stance against a policy it deems to be in violation of international law and the fundamental principles of national sovereignty.

  • Free training course in computer repairs to begin in March

    Free training course in computer repairs to begin in March

    The Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, operating under the Ministry of Public Works, Public Utilities and the Digital Economy, has unveiled a comprehensive six-week Computer Repairs Training Course commencing March 3, 2026. This educational initiative will be hosted at the Lagoon Innovation Hub with sessions scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

    The curriculum has been meticulously designed to provide participants with fundamental knowledge of computer systems, encompassing essential topics including computer architecture, internal hardware components, peripheral devices, software ecosystems, and operating systems. The program further delves into practical aspects such as system installation protocols, diagnostic troubleshooting techniques, and proactive maintenance strategies. The course culminates with a comprehensive review session, hands-on practical examination, and professional guidance on career development fundamentals within the technology sector.

    Prospective participants can now register through multiple channels: by scanning the QR code featured on official promotional materials or by accessing the digital registration portal at https://forms.gle/5sKWwFUpzR9LmcYm8. For individuals requiring technical assistance or additional information, the Project Implementation Unit has established dedicated support available at 266-3840. The administrative office is situated at the former First Domestic Insurance Building on King George V Street in Roseau, maintaining operational hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

    Project organizers have emphasized that all educational offerings under this digital transformation initiative remain entirely tuition-free, eliminating financial barriers and creating equitable access to technical skill development in computer repair and maintenance disciplines.