Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) Dr. Thomson Fontaine maintained that extending an olive branch was necessary given the ongoing discussions surrounding division and disunity within the UWP. 

He said the time had come for those who have not yet embraced the party's new vision to come on board and work towards a common goal. He made the remarks during a recent appearance on the Talk on the Block programme.

At its meeting on Tuesday, 16, June 2026, the UWP National Executive Committee unanimously endorsed Senator Delbert Paris as the United Workers Party, TEAM Dominica Candidate for the Marigot Constituency. 

UWP General Secretary Nicholas George said“this endorsement reflects the confidence and trust the Party places in Senator Paris, and we are excited about the strength, experience, and vision he brings to TEAM Dominica and to the people of Marigot”. 

The National Executive Committee warmly congratulates Senator Paris on this milestone & extends sincere thanks to the Marigot Constituency Association for their dedication & partnership throughout the selection process, which has been instrumental in reaching this moment. 

Mr George extend heartfelt congratulations to Senator Delbert Paris and said he looks forward with optimism to the journey ahead as they continue building a stronger Marigot and a brighter Dominica, together.

Credit: Waitukubuli Tours 

The Ministry of Environment has launched an initiative aimed at strengthening the protection and management of the Morne Diablotin National Park through the demarcation of its boundaries and the establishment of a surrounding buffer zone. 

The exercise is being carried out under the Leveraging Eco-Tourism for Biodiversity Protection in Dominica (LETBP) Project, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented through the World Bank in collaboration with the Government of Dominica. 

Following a competitive procurement process, Environment Direct Consulting Inc., a Dominican environmental and geospatial consultancy led by Dr. Camille David, has been contracted to undertake the work. The firm brings more than two decades of experience in environmental science, GIS, protected area management, land use planning, stakeholder engagement& biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean. 

Officials say the initiative forms part of broader national efforts to improve the management of protected areas while advancing sustainable development and eco-tourism. They note that the Morne Diablotin National Park remains one of Dominica’s most important biodiversity assets, providing critical habitat for endemic species, protecting watersheds, and supporting ecosystem services that benefit both communities and the national economy. 

A key aspect of the project will involve the creation of a buffer zone around the park, as originally recommended in the Morne Diablotin National Park Management Plan.

UPP leader Joshua Francis warned that men in Dominica are facing a profound social crisis, that they are failing to fulfill their traditional roles as leaders within families, communities, and the broader country. Speaking on the program “Talk for Progress”, Francis pointed to alarming social statistics, noting that men are disproportionately affected by drug abuse & make up the vast majority of the prison population. 

He observed that while over 200 men are currently serving sentences or held on remand, only one or two women are in similar circumstances. To counter this trend, Francis advocated for targeted interventions, stating that the United Progress Party recognizes these harsh social realities and is committed to providing necessary aid through the establishment of dedicated rehabilitation centers and specialized training schools. 

While welcoming the government's announcement to reopen the Goodwill Secondary School by September 2026 to offer technical and vocational development, Francis emphasized that the damage caused by a long-term lack of training remains severe. He asserted that under the current administration, essential vocational training had effectively disappeared, leaving non-academically inclined young men completely vulnerable over the past 26 years. 

According to Francis, without structural avenues to learn technical trades, many young individuals dropped out of high school, faced intense frustration, and ultimately turned to drugs or alcohol. He explained that his involvement in the political sphere is driven by a desire to act as a social and policy engineer, ensuring that future governance introduces structural policies capable of restoring these marginalized lives.

Credit: DBS Radio 

The Dominica Trade Union Congress has successfully secured financial assistance totaling approximately $6,000 USD from the International Labour Organization. According to the President of the Trade Union Congress, Steve Joseph, this injection of international capital marks a supportive step forward for the organization's institutional capacity. 

The grant is expected to directly enhance the group's operational framework as it prepares for an upcoming cycle of advocacy and worker representation across the island. 

Joseph explained that the newly acquired funding will be utilized exclusively to assist in the finalization of the union's comprehensive strategic plan. 

Additionally, the resource allocation will support the development and execution of the Congress's scheduled program of activities for the coming year. This strategic planning initiative aims to reinforce the organization’s long-term vision, ensuring that the union remains well-equipped to address the evolving needs of the local labor force.

​Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Dr. Thomson Fontaine, says the party is placing greater emphasis on direct communication and engagement between constituency caretakers and constituents, rather than engaging in transactional politics.
 
He explained that building personal connections with citizens and consistently demonstrating that their best interests are being prioritized helps to discourage and insulate against such political behavior.

​Dr. Fontaine further stated that when citizens are unable to meet their basic necessities for survival and the threat of poverty becomes apparent, it raises serious questions about the current state of the country.

​United Workers Party (UWP) leader, Dr. Thomson Fontaine

​The 114th International Labour Conference concluded on June 12 with the historic adoption of the Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, establishing the first global standards to protect millions of digital platform workers. This landmark framework aims to align rapid technological innovation with workers' rights, fair market competition, and sustainable economic growth.
 
In his closing remarks, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized that millions of workers and digital operations were anxiously awaiting these results, commending the conference for proving that the organization remains fully capable of actively shaping the present and future of global work.
 
The newly minted treaty dictates that member states must guarantee fundamental workplace rights, including collective bargaining freedoms and protection from forced labour, child labourand discrimination. Crucially, it expands occupational safety, data privacy& fair termination safeguards to individuals outside of formal employment relationships, regardless of how their status is classified under national law.
 
Furthermore, the convention mandates algorithmic transparency and adequate remuneration for all workers, aligning with Houngbo's broader call to harness artificial intelligence through a human-centered approach so that all nations, enterprises, and individuals can benefit from the digital transformation.

​UPP leader Joshua Francis shared his philosophical view on political timing and organizational growth and claimed having a strong belief in organic development & divine intervention. He said his perspective leans heavily on a certain level of predestination, operating under the principle that events unfold precisely because they are meant to.
 
Because society functions within a highly dynamic world, Francis asserted that it is the responsibility of citizens to try to comprehend why these shifts occur. Applying this exact mindset to the newly registered political group, he noted that the faction was explicitly destined to adopt the water bottle as its primary symbol. According to Francis, the bottle was intended to deliver a vital message to the Dominican public, signaling that the United Progressive Party is directly aligned with life itself.
 
Expanding on this corporate symbolism, Francis emphasized the essential nature of the chosen icon by noting that water is the fundamental source of life. He said since the human body is composed of over 70 percent water, the symbol serves as a universal representation of vitality and health. Detailing the legal process behind the party's official launch, Francis explained to listeners that for any political organization to secure legal recognition, it must satisfy specific statutory requirements established by the electoral office in the Commonwealth of Dominica.
 
These regulatory steps include formalizing a governing executive branch and establishing a registered office address. He concluded by revealing that when the UPP submitted its paperwork, authorities presented them with two available symbols—the knife and the bottle. The party subsequently selected the bottle to encapsulate its core messaging of revitalization & public service.

​Joshua Francis, Leader of the UPP

​The Dominica Table Tennis Association (DTTA) is continuing its efforts to strengthen and develop the sport locally with the staging of its upcoming National Table Tennis Tournament.
 
The competition is designed to identify the country's top players across various age groups while providing athletes with an opportunity to sharpen their skills through regular competition. The DTTA believes the national tournament will encourage players to remain committed to practicing, training & working hard to strive for excellence in the sport.
 
The tournament will feature competition in several categories, including Under-13, Under-15 and Under-18 boys' and girls' divisions, as well as senior male and female events.
 
The two-day tournament is scheduled to take place at the Massacre Sports Complex on Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day.
 
With support from the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC), the Sports Division, and the Government of Dominica, the association says it remains committed to advancing the development of table tennis on the island through this event & future initiatives aimed at growing the sport.

​Dominican sports advocate Cheryl Rolle has expressed concern that the nation is currently underutilizing the vast talents and resources of its overseas diaspora. Pointing out the deep background of individuals living abroad, Rolle highlighted that numerous expatriates possess advanced master's degrees & have compelling stories that can play an active part in national development.
 
She suggested rather than remaining disconnected, these professionals should be integrated directly into local schools and athletic meets to inspire students. Rolle emphasized that peer-to-peer interactions with younger athletes often carry greater influence and motivational weight than guidance coming from older generations. She also noted that community channels, such as Parent-Teacher Association meetings in centralized hubs like Portsmouth and Roseau, present ideal collaborative forums to disseminate these encouraging messages effectively.
 
Furthermore, Rolle proposed the establishment of a dedicated sports bank or fund to create a structured avenue for overseas Dominicans to contribute back to their homeland. She explained that while employment opportunities might be limited domestically, forcing graduates to relocate to places like Minnesota, Indonesia, Singapore, or Dubai, these individuals remain fundamentally Dominican at heart and are often eager to offer support.
 
Utilizing modern social media, she argued that the country could easily launch crowdfunding initiatives tailored specifically for athletic development. In addition to financial backing, Rolle underscored the value of foundational mentorship.

​Sports Advocate, Cheryl Rolle