Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • UWI and CCRIF joint fellowship aims to bolster Caribbean’s contribution to climate change science

    UWI and CCRIF joint fellowship aims to bolster Caribbean’s contribution to climate change science

    The University of the West Indies (UWI) has partnered with CCRIF SPC to establish a pioneering postdoctoral fellowship program specifically dedicated to climate change detection and attribution research. This innovative initiative, valued at US$50,000, represents CCRIF’s first direct investment in postdoctoral research and aims to enhance regional expertise in tropical cyclone modeling and climate attribution science.

    Dr. Jhordanne Jones, a distinguished UWI alumna and NOAA Climate and Global Change Fellow who serves as a Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been selected as the inaugural fellow. Her research will develop sophisticated hurricane simulations, analyze damage statistics, and facilitate public engagement activities, positioning UWI and the Caribbean region as significant contributors to global climate science.

    Professor Densil A. Williams, Principal of UWI Mona Campus, emphasized the fellowship’s importance: “This investment will enable UWI to develop the specialized expertise necessary to guide evidence-based policy decisions, ensuring our communities can rebuild with greater resilience.”

    The program has already yielded significant preliminary findings. Analysis of Hurricane Beryl (2024) revealed wind speeds exceeding historical records, ranking among the top 5% of storms under projected warming scenarios. Research on Hurricane Melissa (2025) demonstrated that climate change contributed to approximately 7% higher wind speeds, 16% increased rainfall, and made rapid intensification six times more likely—highlighting the adaptation challenges facing small island nations.

    This fellowship expands upon a longstanding collaboration between UWI and CCRIF that has provided over US$1.8 million in scholarships, internships, and project funding since 2010. The institutions are collectively advancing Caribbean leadership in climate science, resilience finance, and global climate justice advocacy.

    Professor Michael Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology and Co-Director of UWI’s Climate Studies Group Mona, noted: “CCRIF’s support for detection and attribution science is truly visionary. By funding research that directly connects extreme weather events to climate change, CCRIF is helping position Caribbean science at the forefront of global climate justice initiatives.”

  • LIVE: UWP Press Conference 18th Dec 2025

    LIVE: UWP Press Conference 18th Dec 2025

    In a groundbreaking astronomical revelation, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured an extraordinarily detailed image of the protostar HH 212, located approximately 1,300 light-years away in the Orion constellation. This latest discovery provides unprecedented insights into the early stages of star formation, showcasing symmetric pink ejections that represent material being expelled as the infant star evolves.

    The newly released image reveals intricate details never before observed, including remarkably balanced bipolar jets emanating from the protostar’s poles. These jets, extending over light-years in distance, exhibit near-perfect symmetry that has astonished astronomers. The precision of these structures offers crucial evidence about the formation processes of stars similar to our Sun during their earliest developmental phases.

    Dr. Mark McCaughrean, Senior Advisor for Science and Exploration at the European Space Agency, emphasized the significance of this discovery: ‘Webb’s infrared capabilities allow us to peer through the cosmic dust that has previously obscured our view of these stellar nurseries. What we’re seeing is essentially the birth process of a star system, with incredible clarity that transforms our understanding of stellar evolution.’

    The observation provides critical data for astrophysicists studying how stars accumulate mass and how bipolar jets influence their surrounding interstellar environment. The symmetry observed in HH 212’s jets suggests these processes are far more organized and structured than previously theorized, potentially rewriting established models of star formation.

    This discovery marks another triumph for the James Webb Space Telescope, which continues to exceed scientific expectations since becoming operational in 2022. The telescope’s advanced infrared instruments have opened new windows into cosmic phenomena that were previously invisible to ground-based telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope.

    The research team continues to analyze the data from HH 212, expecting further revelations about the physics governing star birth and the formation of planetary systems. These findings could ultimately shed light on the origins of our own solar system and the conditions that make planetary systems habitable.

  • STATEMENT: UWP on U.S. partial travel ban

    STATEMENT: UWP on U.S. partial travel ban

    The United Workers Party – Team Dominica has expressed profound concern regarding the recent imposition of a partial travel ban by the United States government targeting citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica. This restrictive measure, affecting both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories, has generated significant diplomatic unease between the two nations.

    The policy shift carries substantial implications for Dominican nationals pursuing educational opportunities, business engagements, medical treatments, and family reunification in the United States. Historically robust people-to-people connections between Dominica and the U.S. now face unprecedented strain due to these travel constraints.

    While acknowledging America’s sovereign prerogative in determining border security protocols, Team Dominica’s statement raises critical questions regarding governance deficiencies that potentially precipitated this diplomatic development. The opposition party emphasizes the public’s right to comprehensive transparency from the Dominica government concerning circumstances leading to the travel restrictions.

    Key demands presented to the Roosevelt Skerrit administration include:
    – Immediate public clarification regarding the rationale behind the U.S. decision
    – Expedited high-level diplomatic engagement with American authorities
    – Implementation of concrete corrective measures to reinforce confidence in Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program
    – Prioritization of national interests over political considerations

    The statement further emphasizes that ordinary Dominican citizens—including students, workers, and diaspora communities—should not shoulder consequences potentially stemming from administrative shortcomings in program oversight. Team Dominica has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the international reputation and rights of Dominican citizens while pledging continued monitoring of the situation and support for legitimate efforts toward restriction removal.

  • IOM launches free online course for International Migrants Day, ‘From Risk to Resilience’

    IOM launches free online course for International Migrants Day, ‘From Risk to Resilience’

    MARKING INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY, THE UN MIGRATION AGENCY’S CARIBBEAN OFFICE HAS UNVEILED A COMPREHENSIVE, SELF-PACED ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN POLICY RESPONSES TO CLIMATE-INDUCED MOBILITY. THE COURSE, TITLED “FROM RISK TO RESILIENCE: CRAFTING EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE MOBILITY POLICIES IN THE CARIBBEAN,” IS NOW AVAILABLE ON IOM’S E-CAMPUS PLATFORM AT NO COST. IT TARGETS POLICYMAKERS, DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS, AND STAKEHOLDERS COMMITTED TO BOLSTERING THE REGION’S CLIMATE RESILIENCE. DEVELOPED UNDER THE FRENCH-FUNDED INITIATIVE “IMPLEMENTING GLOBAL POLICIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION AND DISASTER DISPLACEMENT AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL,” THE CURRICULUM SYNTHESIZES BEST PRACTICES AND CRITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS GATHERED FROM THE CARIBBEAN AND OTHER SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS). ITS CORE MISSION IS TO FOSTER A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION, DISPLACEMENT, AND PLANNED RELOCATION, URGING THE MAINSTREAMING OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS INTO NATIONAL AND REGIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS. THE TRAINING IS STRUCTURED INTO SEVEN IN-DEPTH MODULES COVERING KEY AREAS: INTEGRATING HUMAN MOBILITY INTO CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RESPONSE; ASSESSING CLIMATE-RELATED RISKS AND COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY; LEVERAGING EVACUATION PROCEDURES FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION; FORMULATING ROBUST POLICIES FOR PLANNED RELOCATION; ADDRESSING LABOR MOBILITY AND DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE; BRIDGING HUMANITARIAN ACTION WITH DEVELOPMENT GOALS; AND DESIGNING POLICIES FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY AND ENHANCED RESILIENCE. PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN ACCESS TO EXPERT ANALYSIS AND PRACTICAL INSIGHTS FROM LEADING CARIBBEAN SPECIALISTS, ENSURING THE CONTENT IS TAILORED TO THE REGION’S UNIQUE CHALLENGES. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AWARDS A CERTIFICATE. PATRICE QUESADA, IOM COORDINATOR FOR THE CARIBBEAN, STRESSED THE URGENCY OF THE MATTER: “THE CARIBBEAN STANDS AT THE FRONTLINE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AS OUR COMMUNITIES ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING ITS FEARFUL IMPACTS. YET DISPLACEMENT AND MIGRATION ARE ONLY STARTING TO BE INTEGRATED IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES. WITH THIS COURSE, WE WILL EMPOWER POLICYMAKERS AND PRACTITIONERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND STRATEGIES NEEDED TO TURN MOBILITY RISK INTO RESILIENCE.” IOM STRONGLY ENCOURAGES GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES, AND REGIONAL PARTNERS TO ENROLL AND WIDELY DISSEMINATE THIS CRITICAL RESOURCE. THE COURSE IS DEEMED ESPECIALLY PERTINENT FOR THOSE WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING “THE REGIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR INTEGRATING HUMAN MOBILITY CDM PROGRAMMING ACROSS CARICOM,” A FRAMEWORK DEVELOPED RECENTLY WITH IOM’S TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN COLLABORATION WITH CDEMA AND NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCIES.

  • Almost $1 million needed to complete Roseau Cathedral, says Vicar General

    Almost $1 million needed to complete Roseau Cathedral, says Vicar General

    After a decade of extensive renovations, the iconic Roseau Cathedral in Dominica remains approximately $1 million short of completing its transformative restoration project. Vicar General Father Nigel Karam provided a comprehensive update during the recent Jubilee Year press conference, detailing both the progress made and the challenges that have extended this ambitious undertaking.

    The restoration initiative initially launched in 2012 with straightforward roof repairs but dramatically expanded when seismic assessments revealed fundamental structural vulnerabilities. These engineering studies determined the historic edifice would be unable to withstand earthquake activity, necessitating comprehensive foundation reinforcement. Subsequent discoveries of water damage, termite infestation, and hazardous asbestos materials further complicated the project, transforming a simple renovation into a complete architectural overhaul.

    Despite these challenges, significant milestones have been achieved. Since Palm Sunday of this year, the cathedral has resumed regular religious services after years of temporary relocation. While acknowledging the building remains unfinished, Father Karam emphasized that the space has been successfully reconsecrated for worship purposes. The most recent major improvement involved installing hurricane-resistant shutters throughout the facility, providing crucial protection during severe weather events.

    The forthcoming critical phase involves installing a permanent ceiling beneath the existing roof structure, a complex engineering endeavor requiring specialized high-quality materials appropriate for the cathedral’s substantial dimensions. This ceiling project constitutes the final major component before completion, with estimated costs approaching seven figures.

    Funding efforts have continued through creative initiatives including the Jubilee Garden Party, Flavours of the World Festival, and recent raffle events featuring generous donations from local businesses and artisans. Notable contributions included a 65-inch television from Emile Depooter, custom-crafted furniture from woodworker Andrew Peter, and an original artwork from Convent High School teacher Mrs. Burnett depicting St. Martin de Porres.

    Father Karam expressed profound gratitude to the countless donors who have supported the renovation throughout its prolonged timeline while emphasizing the ongoing need for community support to finalize this preservation project for future generations.

  • Dominica Hospital Authority pushes upgraded compensation package for doctors

    Dominica Hospital Authority pushes upgraded compensation package for doctors

    The Dominican government is advancing a significant overhaul of its healthcare compensation system, spearheaded by Health Minister Cassanni Laville. In a recent appearance on the ‘Focus on Government and Development Program’ on DBS Radio, Minister Laville detailed the administration’s proactive steps to develop a new, improved remuneration package for the nation’s medical doctors, emphasizing fairness and extensive consultation with medical professionals.

    Minister Laville confirmed that a draft proposal for the upgraded package has been prepared and deliberated upon by the Cabinet. This initiative has been a focal point of review over recent weeks and months. The process has been bolstered by the expertise of Dr. Kenneth Darroux, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Hospital Authority, who has been tasked with conferring directly with various specialists to refine the offerings and ensure widespread satisfaction. ‘This is the type of engagement that we have so that the Dominican doctors can have that dream right here in Dominica,’ Laville stated, highlighting the goal of retaining top medical talent within the country.

    This move is part of a broader suite of measures first announced by Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre during the July 2025 presentation of the 2025/2026 National Budget. Key announcements included the creation of eleven new medical specialist positions effective August 1, 2025, and a deadline of August 6, 2025, for the approval of the enhanced remuneration package for specialists and other medical roles. Furthermore, the government pledged to present a Medical Professional Bill and a Nursing Midwives Bill to Parliament by September 2025. These legislative actions are direct responses to public concerns regarding the quality of care at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH).

    To strengthen hospital governance, a full-time Executive Chairperson will be appointed to enforce greater accountability, transparency, and the delivery of high-quality patient care. The new organizational structure also introduces a Clinical Director, a role endowed with the same rank as the CEO, who will report directly to the Executive Chairperson and be responsible for overseeing all clinical and medical services, ensuring proactive management of patient concerns.

    Complementing these structural changes, the government is launching a financial reward program to motivate nursing and medical staff. This performance-based initiative, set to commence at the DCFH, will grant ten quarterly awards to the most outstanding doctors and nurses as evaluated by both patients and supervisors. The program aims to incentivize excellence in healthcare delivery, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a revitalized and robust public health system.

  • WEATHER (6:00AM, Dec 18, 2025): Increased cloudiness, scattered showers during the morning

    WEATHER (6:00AM, Dec 18, 2025): Increased cloudiness, scattered showers during the morning

    Meteorological conditions across the region are set to deliver a day of contrasting weather patterns, prompting official advisories for residents and mariners. The morning hours are forecast to experience low to mid-level atmospheric instability, generating increased cloud cover and scattered showers. Authorities have specifically cautioned communities in flood-prone zones, as well as areas susceptible to landslides and falling rocks, to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution during this period.

    A significant shift is anticipated by the afternoon as a dominant high-pressure system reasserts its influence, creating a drier atmospheric regime. Breezy conditions are expected to persist throughout the day, contributing to the dispersal of a slight haze that may intermittently affect air quality in certain locales. Health officials recommend that individuals with respiratory conditions or heightened sensitivities take appropriate protective measures.

    Maritime forecasts indicate moderate seas over the next 24-hour period, though significant variations exist between coastlines. Wave heights along the western shores are projected to peak near 5 feet with 9-second swells, while eastern coastal waters face more substantial surges nearing 8 feet. In response, a Small Craft Advisory has been officially activated primarily for the eastern coastline. Concurrently, a High Surf Advisory remains in effect for western and northern shores due to a potential increase in powerful ground swells. All small-craft operators and recreational sea bathers are strongly urged to exercise heightened caution and adhere to all safety protocols.

  • CARICOM SG applauds Jamaica’s continued involvement in region post-Hurricane Melissa

    CARICOM SG applauds Jamaica’s continued involvement in region post-Hurricane Melissa

    At the 56th Community Council of Ministers meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett commended Jamaica for maintaining strong regional engagement while navigating complex recovery operations following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact. The Category Five hurricane struck Jamaica on October 28 with sustained winds reaching 185 mph, creating significant challenges for the island nation.

    Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith presided over the December 16 meeting, where Dr. Barnett expressed solidarity with Jamaica’s reconstruction efforts. Minister Johnson Smith detailed the hurricane’s severe consequences, noting it represented both the strongest hurricane to directly hit Jamaica and the first Category Five storm in the nation’s recorded history.

    The Foreign Minister expressed profound gratitude for the regional support system, specifically acknowledging personnel deployments, technical assistance through CARILEC for electricity restoration, and ongoing reconstruction work by the Guyana Defence Force in Westmoreland. “The support has been overwhelming. The goodwill has been heartwarming,” Johnson Smith stated, emphasizing how CARICOM’s unified response demonstrates the community’s strength and cohesion.

    Minister Johnson Smith connected Hurricane Melissa’s destruction to broader climate change vulnerabilities affecting the Caribbean region, particularly noting its occurrence following Hurricane Beryl’s earlier impact. She stressed the urgent necessity for comprehensive climate action and resilience-building initiatives, including advocacy for climate justice.

    Looking toward 2025, Secretary-General Barnett outlined CARICOM’s strategic priorities, highlighting climate change and climate finance as central concerns alongside ongoing challenges related to crime and violence, health systems, and the situation in Haiti. Additional focus areas include implementing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), advancing information and communication technology including artificial intelligence, ensuring food and nutrition security, promoting youth development, and strengthening foreign relations.

    Dr. Barnett reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and aligning strategic initiatives with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to deepen economic integration throughout the region amidst evolving global challenges.

  • Maduro speaks to U.N. Secretary General about regional tensions in wake of U.S. attacks

    Maduro speaks to U.N. Secretary General about regional tensions in wake of U.S. attacks

    Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros has initiated high-level diplomatic communications with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres amid deteriorating security conditions in the Caribbean basin. This strategic telephone dialogue occurred following a series of lethal military operations conducted by United States naval forces against Venezuelan-flagged vessels.

    The U.S. government has formally characterized these strikes as targeted interventions against narcotics trafficking networks operating throughout the southern Caribbean maritime routes. Official statements from Washington maintain that these operations specifically aimed to disrupt sophisticated drug smuggling operations allegedly facilitated through Venezuelan maritime channels.

    According to detailed readouts from UN headquarters, Secretary-General Guterres articulated critical positions regarding international legal frameworks during the exchange. The diplomatic conversation emphasized the fundamental necessity for all UN Member States to uphold their established obligations under international law, particularly those enshrined within the United Nations Charter.

    The Secretary-General further advocated for measured diplomatic approaches, explicitly encouraging both parties to exercise maximum restraint. Guterres stressed the urgent need for de-escalation mechanisms to preserve regional peace and stability, highlighting the UN’s readiness to facilitate dialogue between the involved nations. This development marks a significant escalation in international attention to Caribbean security matters, with potential implications for multilateral relations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

  • Dominica’s Calypso Monarch Joy Stoute to vie for ‘Queen of Queens’ title

    Dominica’s Calypso Monarch Joy Stoute to vie for ‘Queen of Queens’ title

    Dominica’s reigning Calypso Monarch, Joy Stoute, is poised to represent her nation at the prestigious Queen of Queens Regional Female Calypso Competition in Montserrat on December 30th. The event, orchestrated by the Montserrat Arts Council as a highlight of the island’s 2025 Carnival celebrations, serves as a convergence point for the Caribbean’s most accomplished female calypsonians.

    This cultural showcase is designed to promote artistic excellence, foster cultural dialogue, and strengthen regional bonds through the powerful medium of calypso music. Participants will be evaluated across multiple criteria including lyrical depth, musical composition, stage dynamism, and overall interpretive delivery. Each artist must perform two original compositions to demonstrate their creative range.

    Stoute, performing under her stage name ‘Joy,’ will present two critically acclaimed pieces: ‘My Quest for Love’ and ‘The Ground We Walking On.’ These compositions were instrumental in securing her national title earlier this year and have subsequently resonated with audiences throughout the Caribbean region.

    In prepared statements, Joy conveyed both honor and determination regarding her upcoming performance. ‘Representing Dominica on a regional stage is both an honour and a responsibility,’ she stated. ‘Calypso has always been a voice for the people, and I am proud to carry our stories, our culture, and our flag to Montserrat.’

    The artist emphasized the critical importance of regional platforms for calypso’s preservation amid growing challenges to the art form’s sustainability across the Caribbean. ‘Now more than ever, we must think of calypso beyond Dominica,’ Joy remarked, highlighting concerns about the potential erosion of this cultural tradition without continued exposure and support.

    Dominica maintains a strong legacy in the competition, with previous representatives including 2024 participant Shanice Langford (stage name Shanice) and 2022 first runner-up Tasha ‘Tasha P’ Peltier, the island’s first female calypso monarch. With confident preparation and institutional backing from the Dominica Calypso Association, Joy aims to deliver a historic performance that could secure Dominica’s first Queen of Queens title.