Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • Seven schools progress to round two of the Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition

    Seven schools progress to round two of the Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition

    The 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition has commenced with exceptional vigor, showcasing remarkable intellectual talent across Dominica’s educational landscape. Seven institutions have successfully advanced to the second round following a challenging knockout phase held on January 22nd and 23rd.

    This year’s competition introduced a groundbreaking format shift, moving away from traditional team-based debates to a focus on individual excellence. Each participating school was represented by a single student, with advancement determined exclusively by individual performance scores rather than collective team results.

    The inaugural debate session on January 22nd featured six schools engaging with the environmentally-conscious motion: ‘Local communities should have veto power over projects that significantly affect their environment.’ Participants included Orion Academy, Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, Wesley High School, St. Mary’s Academy, Convent High School, and Arthur Waldron Seventh-Day Adventist Academy.

    The competition intensified on January 23rd as Castle Bruce Secondary School, St. Martin Secondary School, and Portsmouth Secondary School addressed the socio-economic proposition: ‘The legal driving age in Dominica should be lowered to increase youth independence and national productivity.’

    Seven exceptional debaters emerged victorious through their outstanding performances. Leading the scoreboard was Shanaiyah John from St. Martin Secondary School, achieving an impressive 341 points. Close behind were Hephzibah Abenole of Wesley High School (328 points) and Taya Charles from Orion Academy (320 points). The qualifying cohort further included Sienna Andrew (Convent High School, 317 points), Maliah Ettienne (Portsmouth Secondary, 302 points), Isaac Roberts (Castle Bruce Secondary, 299 points), and Kianna Aaron (Isaiah Thomas Secondary, 288 points).

    Narrowly missing advancement were Lucas Sorhaindo of St. Mary’s Academy (286 points) and Khaleed Colaire from Arthur Waldron Seventh-Day Adventist Academy (263 points).

    These seven qualifying schools will progress to Round Two, scheduled for February 25th and 26th, where they will be joined by defending champions Dominica Grammar School.

    Event organizer Trudy Christian characterized the preliminary round as both challenging and enlightening, noting that the exceptional performances indicate 2026 will be a landmark year for debating excellence. Christian specifically acknowledged main sponsor Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd. for their sustained commitment to youth development and fostering substantive national discourse through educational initiatives.

  • Dr Fontaine on voter confirmation: Birth certificates should be permissible

    Dr Fontaine on voter confirmation: Birth certificates should be permissible

    United Workers Party (UWP) leader Dr. Thomson Fontaine has issued grave concerns regarding significant challenges plaguing Dominica’s ongoing Voter Confirmation Process. In an exclusive interview with Dominica News Online (DNO), Fontaine revealed that numerous citizens are encountering substantial barriers when attempting to complete their electoral registration.

    The opposition leader identified the passport ownership requirement as a primary obstacle preventing eligible voters from confirming their registration status. Despite concerted efforts by multiple political factions, including collaborative outreach with the Electoral Reform Coalition and separate communications directly to the Electoral Commission, authorities have remained unresponsive to these concerns.

    “We have reached out through multiple channels—both jointly with other parties and through independent statements—yet we’ve received absolutely no feedback from the commission,” Fontaine disclosed. The political coalition includes representation from The Freedom Party, The UPP, and the Team Unity Dominica (TUD) party.

    Fontaine emphasized the alarming combination of low confirmation rates and procedural sluggishness, stating: “The extremely slow pace of confirmation and the minimal numbers processed to date raise serious questions about the sustainability of this entire process.”

    As a solution, the UWP leader has formally petitioned the Electoral Commission to reinstate SRO 27 provisions that previously permitted birth certificates as valid identification for voter confirmation. This regulatory adjustment would eliminate the passport mandate that currently disenfranchises many potential voters.

    The voter confirmation initiative, which commenced on October 15, 2025, after extensive delays, involves a multi-step verification process: examination of the May 2025 voters list, validation of witness registration within matching polling districts, document review, completion of Form 31 before enrollment officials, electronic data entry with photograph and document scanning, dual-screen verification by applicants, and final receipt issuance via Form 32.

  • T&T families of men slain during strikes on Venezuelan boat file unprecedented lawsuit against US gov’t

    T&T families of men slain during strikes on Venezuelan boat file unprecedented lawsuit against US gov’t

    In an unprecedented legal challenge, two families from Trinidad and Tobago have initiated federal litigation against the United States government following the fatal military strikes that claimed the lives of their relatives off the coast of Venezuela. The lawsuit, filed in a Massachusetts district court, centers on the deaths of 26-year-old Chad Joseph and 41-year-old Rishi Samaroo from Las Cuevas, Trinidad, who were killed alongside four others during an October 14th maritime operation conducted by U.S. forces.

    The plaintiffs, represented by prominent civil liberties organizations including the ACLU, Seton Hall University Law School, and the Center for Constitutional Rights, allege that the strikes form part of a systematic and legally unjustifiable campaign targeting vessels in international waters. According to court documents, this operational pattern has resulted in approximately 125 fatalities across 36 separate incidents since September 2nd, all executed without congressional authorization.

    The 23-page complaint presents a damning indictment of the administration’s conduct, characterizing the killings as ‘premeditated and intentional’ acts lacking plausible legal justification. The document specifically names President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing them of publicly celebrating the operations through online video dissemination.

    Administration officials have defended the strikes as necessary interventions against narcotics trafficking, asserting that congressional approval was not required for such military actions. The victims’ families counter that their relatives were engaged in legitimate agricultural work—Joseph had traveled for fishing and farming purposes, while Samaroo was employed on a Venezuelan agricultural farm specializing in dairy production.

    The legal action invokes two distinct statutory frameworks: the Death on the High Seas Act, which provides recourse for wrongful maritime fatalities, and the Alien Tort Statute, enabling foreign nationals to seek redress for human rights violations in U.S. courts. Legal representatives emphasize the historic nature of the case, noting that never before has the U.S. government asserted such extensive lethal authority in international waters. The White House has declined commentary, citing the ongoing judicial proceedings.

  • Gov’t implementing ‘mitigation measures’ for Pichelin area after landslide

    Gov’t implementing ‘mitigation measures’ for Pichelin area after landslide

    Dominican authorities have launched comprehensive stabilization efforts following a significant landslide that occurred in the Pichelin region over the weekend. The government’s coordinated response involves multiple agencies working to contain potential hazards and prevent further environmental disruption.

    Joseph Flossiac, Project Manager for the Loubiere to Grand Bay Road Initiative, disclosed that engineering teams are implementing strategic measures to address water accumulation and sediment displacement in the affected area. “Our immediate priority involves developing systematic water diversion solutions while commencing a carefully calibrated removal of debris to minimize secondary impacts,” Flossiac explained during a technical briefing.

    Official assessments from government engineers and disaster management consultants have confirmed that Pichelin residents face no imminent danger from the geological event. The Office of Disaster Management has established continuous monitoring protocols to evaluate slope stability and ground movement patterns around the clock.

    Local community leadership has actively partnered with national authorities to maintain transparent communication channels. Shyla Shillingford-Thomas, Chairperson of the Pichelin Village Council, reported the development of contingency plans and preemptive identification of vulnerable households. “We’ve conducted direct engagement with residents to provide reassurance that this situation receives maximum priority response while establishing emergency protocols should conditions evolve,” Shillingford-Thomas stated.

    Parliamentary Representative Hon. Jullan Defoe commended the interagency collaboration while emphasizing the importance of community vigilance during ongoing mitigation operations. Minister for National Security Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore reinforced the government’s commitment to public safety, stating that all necessary resources would be deployed to protect both citizens and infrastructure throughout the stabilization process.

  • Animator seeks to bring Caribbean youth hero to screen

    Animator seeks to bring Caribbean youth hero to screen

    An innovative animated project rooted in Afrofuturism principles is gaining remarkable traction on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, achieving 90% of its financial target within just four days of launch. “The Kazi: Village Rescue,” created by a Bermudian artist of Jamaican descent, represents a significant cultural milestone by bringing authentic Caribbean narratives to global audiences through the medium of animation.

    The project transcends conventional science fiction aesthetics by embracing Afrofuturism’s core tenets of cultural reclamation, heritage celebration, and Black protagonism. The narrative follows Andreas, a young Caribbean hero characterized by intelligence, emotional resilience, and courage as he confronts corruption and defends his mountainous village from mysterious threats. His journey embodies values highly prized across Caribbean communities—responsibility, bravery, compassion, and collective protection.

    Creator Bassett explains the project’s fundamental motivation: “The Caribbean is full of powerful stories and powerful people. I wanted to create something that shows our young men they can be protectors, leaders, and heroes, not just in real life, but in the worlds of fantasy and imagination too.”

    Drawing creative inspiration from anime, fantasy genres, and Afrofuturist storytelling traditions, the animation uniquely blends authentic island life elements with futuristic concepts. This synthesis demonstrates that exceptional animation and compelling universal storytelling can originate from small island nations.

    The project represents a groundbreaking opportunity for Caribbean-born creativity to claim space in international animation, challenging geographical limitations and asserting that Caribbean youth deserve epic worlds, legendary quests, and cinematic representation. With three weeks remaining in its fundraising campaign, the creator continues seeking additional resources to realize this ambitious vision dedicated to Caribbean youth who “envision beyond horizons.”

  • Message from DNO: Likes and dislikes are back. Here is why they were temporarily disabled

    Message from DNO: Likes and dislikes are back. Here is why they were temporarily disabled

    Dominica News Online (DNO) has confronted a sophisticated manipulation campaign targeting its comment section engagement metrics, forcing the media outlet to temporarily disable and then reinstate its reaction features while investigating the source of anomalous activity.

    The publication, which has maintained operational integrity for nearly two decades, identified a disturbing pattern where comments would receive massive volumes of likes or dislikes immediately upon publication, bypassing normal organic engagement patterns. This coordinated activity showed no incremental buildup characteristic of genuine reader interaction, instead demonstrating instant, artificial amplification.

    In an open letter to readers, DNO’s editorial team explained their initial decision to disable reaction buttons stemmed from concerns about algorithmic manipulation distorting public discourse. The extreme and consistent pattern of engagement manipulation represented a departure from nearly twenty years of normal community interaction on the platform.

    The media organization emphasized its commitment to preserving authentic democratic discourse while protecting readers from artificially manipulated sentiment indicators. Despite ongoing investigation into the source and methodology of the manipulation, DNO has temporarily reactivated engagement features while continuing to monitor for suspicious activity.

    The incident highlights growing challenges digital media platforms face in maintaining integrity of public forums amid increasingly sophisticated disinformation tactics. DNO has committed to developing more robust systems to detect and prevent future manipulation attempts while preserving genuine community engagement.

  • Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister condemns the escalation of restrictions on the nation’s oil imports

    Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister condemns the escalation of restrictions on the nation’s oil imports

    The Trump administration is actively considering unprecedented measures to force regime change in Cuba, with a comprehensive embargo on the island nation’s oil imports standing as a central component of this aggressive strategy, according to exclusive reporting from Politico. Three informed sources confirmed the existence of these proposed plans, which represent a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two nations.

    Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, issued a forceful condemnation of these developments during a press conference on Friday, characterizing the proposed measures as a “brutal assault” against a peaceful country that presents no legitimate threat to United States security interests. The senior diplomat articulated that these contemplated actions provide incontrovertible evidence that the economic hardships endured by the Cuban people directly result from Washington-designed policies rather than internal failures.

    Historical context reveals concerning parallels to previous administration efforts. Fernández de Cossío highlighted that in 2019, influential figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former National Security Advisor John Bolton successfully persuaded President Trump to implement a similar blockade. That earlier initiative was ultimately thwarted by national security agencies that determined such confrontational measures would be unjustifiable, irresponsible, and dangerously provocative.

    The proposed oil embargo finds its legal justification in the 1994 LIBERTAD Act, commonly referred to as the Helms-Burton Act, which established the legal framework for intensified economic pressure on Cuba. However, internal administration dissent has emerged, with some officials warning that a complete blockade of oil imports could precipitate a severe humanitarian crisis on the island.

    Fernández de Cossío described the reemergence of these threats in 2026 as representative of a rejuvenated hostile posture intended to destabilize Cuba’s energy infrastructure through methods he characterized as “international piracy.” This diplomatic warning occurs against the backdrop of expanding resistance from Global South nations against what they perceive as unilateral and aggressive policies advanced by the current Republican administration.

  • Tad Jahly in custody, charged with murder of Lee Joshua Leslie

    Tad Jahly in custody, charged with murder of Lee Joshua Leslie

    Authorities in Dominica have formally charged Tad Jahly Bellot of Grand Bay with the murder of 27-year-old Lee Joshua Leslie, who was fatally shot on September 11, 2025. The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) confirmed Bellot remains in custody awaiting judicial proceedings following his arrest.

    The lethal incident occurred at approximately 1:30 PM in the Lalay area of Grandbay, marking another episode in a series of firearm-related crimes that prompted government intervention earlier this year. In a public statement disseminated via social media, the CDPF extended gratitude to community members for their ongoing cooperation and vigilance, emphasizing that public assistance remains instrumental to effective law enforcement operations.

    “Our collective dedication to ensuring citizen safety and security remains unwavering,” the police declaration asserted. “The CDPF persists in its diligent pursuit of justice and its commitment to preserving communal harmony through resolute action against offenders.”

    This development follows Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s July announcement establishing a specialized Firearms Task Force within the CDPF framework. Created in response to escalating gun violence that Skerrit characterized as “brazen and reckless,” the multi-agency unit combines resources from the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Branch, K9 Unit, Customs and Excise Division, Dominica Coast Guard, and National Joint Intelligence Center.

    Complementing these institutional measures, the government initiated a confidential tip line (1-800-8477) offering $1,000 rewards for information leading to the recovery of illegal firearms, with assurances of absolute anonymity for informants. Skerrit previously emphasized that these violent acts had profoundly disrupted public tranquility and undermined the nation’s cherished sense of safety, necessitating comprehensive countermeasures.

  • VIDEO: Pichelin Landslide with Doc Dangleben and Journalist Matt Peltier

    VIDEO: Pichelin Landslide with Doc Dangleben and Journalist Matt Peltier

    A groundbreaking artificial intelligence feature has captivated millions worldwide by transforming static historical photographs into brief, lifelike animations. Developed by the genealogy platform MyHeritage, the ‘Deep Nostalgia’ tool utilizes sophisticated deep learning algorithms to analyze facial features in uploaded images and apply pre-recorded movement sequences, creating the illusion of historical figures turning their heads, smiling, and blinking.

    The technology, licensed from the Israeli company D-ID which specializes in video reenactment using deep learning, has generated both widespread fascination and ethical debate. While millions have used the feature to animate photos of ancestors and historical figures, creating emotionally resonant connections to the past, concerns have emerged regarding potential misuse.

    Privacy advocates have raised questions about the implications of such technology, particularly regarding consent when animating images of deceased individuals. The feature’s terms of service explicitly prohibit uploading photos of living people without permission, though enforcement remains challenging. Additionally, historians and ethicists have engaged in discussions about the emotional impact of seeing historical figures seemingly ‘brought back to life’ through algorithmic animation.

    The viral phenomenon demonstrates the powerful intersection of artificial intelligence and human emotion, highlighting how emerging technologies can create profound personal experiences while simultaneously raising important questions about digital ethics and the appropriate use of historical imagery in the age of advanced AI.

  • Penville community forges plan for collective safety

    Penville community forges plan for collective safety

    The Penville Police Togetherness Community Policing Group has achieved a significant milestone by convening a productive meeting with local community leaders, marking a pivotal advancement in law enforcement-community relations. This gathering facilitated substantive discussions focused on developing comprehensive programs to benefit all demographic segments within the Penville area.

    During the constructive dialogue session, community representatives provided insightful recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the Police Togetherness initiative. The policing group demonstrated genuine receptiveness to community input, establishing a foundation for mutual understanding and cooperation.

    The collaborative framework includes several strategically designed components:
    – Monthly educational seminars designed to inform and inspire residents of all ages
    – Organized athletic competitions to promote youth engagement and positive development
    – Joint activities specifically crafted to build trust and foster unity between law enforcement personnel and community members

    Penville’s leadership enthusiastically endorsed the initiative, pledging full cooperation with law enforcement authorities to ensure the program’s successful implementation. This partnership represents a proactive approach to community policing that prioritizes safety, unity, and empowerment through sustained collaboration. The meeting establishes a new standard for police-community engagement that could serve as a model for other communities seeking to strengthen similar relationships.