Thirty thousand dollars ($EC30,000) in sponsorship has been pledged by the National Bank of Dominica (NBD) towards the Biennial Math Power Competition which is scheduled for April 7th, 2020.At the Math Power launching ceremony last week, NBD’s Executive Manager of Marketing, Suzanne Joseph Piper, said her company is honoured to be part of an event that seeks to develop young people.
“This program is an important one for us and for our young people because math is such a central subject; a good command of math is advantageous in this fast paste technological world,” she noted.She said that apart from the math competitions, there should be an increase in other activities such as debates and national science and invention contests in Dominica.According to Math Power Contestcoordinator, Clement Vital, the competition consists of two segments and a maximum of two students and one stand-by student per school will participate. He Vital stated that segment two will include problem-solving where students will be told to answer a series of math problems but this time, primary school students will be allowed to use a pen and paper, and secondary school participants will use a calculator.Eliminations for both primary and high schools will be done on the 17th, 18th, 19th 20th and 27th March, in different districts on the island. “The top twenty-four schools from the eliminations at the primary level will go to the semifinals and the top five will be selected to go to the finals,” Vital said adding that at the high school level, the top five lower and upper high school students will proceed to the finals after eliminations.The competition is being held for the fifth time since its inception in 2009.
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The Dominica Manufactures Association held its National Symposium at the Goodwill Parish Hall on Thursday, and highlighted the importance of manufacturing and the private sector. It also pointed to a number of issues, but most importantly a number of solutions to many of problems faced by the private and Manufacturing sectors. Panel speaker from US Embassy in Barbados Ms. Rachel Myers pointed out some of the observations made by their association countries around the world as it pertains challenges faced by countries seeking to embrace manufacturing. Some of these challenges include, high cost electricity, infrastructure constraint, shipping, logistics. She says that a lot of the Caribbean countries focus on Service based goods rather than Goods. Ms. Myers says that overall, they strongly support the strengthen of the private sector as well have more Goods based export rather than service based, as means of socio-economic pillars. Meantime, “a rising tide lifts all boats” a metaphor reflecting the importance of small business, in any country. This came from Myers who said, “….it is a driver of development, like nothing else is.” She commended the local manufactures of Dominica, saying that their level of determination is one that has to be commended, and especially in dealing with natural setbacks of years past. She stated that a snapshot of the world bank’s business reports reveal that Dominica is ranked 111/119 countries on the international business market. She encourages persons to familiarize themselves with these types of reports, so as to know what countries to partner with, in their Manufacturing ventures. Panel speaker from US Embassy in Barbados, Ms. Rachel Myers
The Ministry of Trade & Commerce is now making another pledge to assist the Manufacturing sector in its development efforts, after several past pledges may not have bore fruit. According to Economist in the Ministry of Trade and Commerce Dr. Eisenhower Douglas, says the initiatives being presented by the Dominica Manufacturing Association and manufacturers, if handled properly, will push the sector to level of profit and success. Earlier today a major Manufacturers Symposium, an initiative spearheaded by the Dominica Manufacturers Association. This symposium took place at the Goodwill Parish Hall at 9am. Economist in the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Dr. Eisenhower Douglas
Minister for Health Dr. Irving McIntyre is attempting to reassure parents and loved ones of the Dominica students studying in China, who are trapped in China at this time due to the Covid-19 outbreak, that their children are safe. Dr McIntyre says his ministry continues to remain in touch with the students, and claims that the students have not reported anything negative about the current situation they are experiencing, adding that many of them are even expressing when classes are set to resume, rather than concern themselves with the present crisis. Minister for Health, Dr. Irving McIntyre
Q95 news has received updated information on the shooting incident which occurred on the evening of 25th February 2020, involving three male individuals, inclusive of one minor who has since been treated at the princess Margaret hospital and released. Police Public relations Officer Simon Edwards says the incident occurred at 11;15pm in Fond Cole’, stating that the violence was caused by an altercation between the young men. Investigations are ongoing, Q95 news will continue to monitor this development, and provide more information as it becomes available. Police Public Relations Officer, Simon Edwards
General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang questioned whether employees use technology, especially in terms of communication, to educate themselves. Letang claims individuals place no interest in things which may be of importance to them. General Secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), Thomas Letang
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit suggests that we must not forget the least of our Apostles as they do their work diligently, in keeping the streets clean. Skerrit made these statements in his recent public address to commend the great. He gave recognition to road cleaners, also called sanitary technicians saying that although their salary may be as little as it is, they do their work with passion and joy, and that is what truly matters. PM Roosevelt Skerrit
Chairperson of Mas Camp Entertainment Committee Dr. Valda Henry has expressed her views on the results of the 2020 Calypso Finals. On 22nd February 2020 the Grand Calypso Finals, music enthusiasts filled the venue to capacity in efforts to witness a spectacular show of nine finalists, competing for the title, of Calypso Monarch. Dr. Henry expressed that she was a bit disappointed that King Dice or King Bobb did not capture the crown or place in this year’s competition. However she stated she was proud to have seen the level of maturity displayed both Calypsonians after they received the results. She spoke to Q95 news on Wednesday. Chairperson of Mas Camp Entertainment Committee, Dr. Valda Henry
The Dominica Police Force is reporting a lower crime rate for 2019, compared to 2018. Chief of Police Daniel Carbon released that comparison while speaking at a Police briefing on February 21, 2020.
In 2018, a total of 906 major crimes were reported to the police. However, in 2019, a slight reduction left the total of serious crimes reported at 835. Police Chief Carbon revealed that in 2018, 3,856 minor crimes were reported and in 2019, 3501 minor offences, indicating that Minor crimes in 2019 were down by 355. Carbon also stated that murder rates, though it is significantly smaller compared to other Caribbean countries, revealed that the rate is still much too high, as there were 11 reported murders in 2018 and 10 in 2019. Out of those 10 murders in 2019 8 of them were solved and six of the 10 were gun-related. He then appealed to the General Public, to provide the necessary information/evidence that can help the Police recover the firearms from the hands of persons whom persons know have them in possession. He adds that Guns are becoming a significant concern to law enforcement here. Stating that In 2018, there were 16 offences related to firearms- shooting with intent- and in 2019, there were 20. Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, today recommended that countries intensify their plans to prepare and respond to the coronavirus given the appearance of cases in the region of the Americas.
The PAHO says the Ministry of Health in Brazil today confirmed the country’s first case of COVID-19.The patient is a 61-year-old man who recently returned from travel to Italy, where an outbreak of the virus has been ongoing since last week. PAHO says the Brazilian authorities are taking measures to prevent further spread of the disease including a careful investigation of all relevant information and following up with anyone who may have come in contact with the infected patient. The first imported case of COVID-19 in the Americas was identified on 21 January in the United States, and a few days later, on 25 January, Canada reported its first confirmed case.Since then, there have been 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in North America. So far, COVID-19 has already affected 81,109 people in 38 countries, 78, 191 of them in China, according to the World Health Organization.“For several weeks, countries in the Americas have been preparing for the possible importation of cases of COVID-19. There are measures in place for detecting, diagnosing and caring for patients with disease,” said Etienne. “A strong emphasis on stopping transmission continues to be an important objective while recognizing that the situation may vary from country to country and will require tailored responses. “A multisectoral response to ensure strengthened surveillance, health service readiness, preventing spread, and maintaining essential services, are key interventions to slow transmission and save lives. Countries of the Americas have already been working on these areas since 2009 as part of their pandemic influenza plans. PAHO stands ready to support countries in rolling out these plans,” she added COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person through droplets and in contact with contaminated surfaces. The disease is spread primarily by people who already show symptoms. Current information suggests that a single infected person can infect between 1 to 4 close contacts. In the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean, PAHO says the impact on health services may be significant with the possibility that health services may become overwhelmed, including a high-demand for specialized hospital services such as intensive care. |
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