The National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD) is set to host its General Assembly 2026 on Saturday, May 30, where a new executive is expected to be elected. 

President of the council, Phael Lander, said the General Assembly serves as the highest decision-making body of the organization. He explained that the meeting will bring together young people and youth organizations from across the island to review the work carried out by the current executive and elect a new leadership team.

The Government of Dominica is acquiring first aid kits & fire extinguishers for distribution to schools across the island as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen safety measures in the education system. 

​Minister for Education Octavia Alfred, speaking to state-owned radio, said the initiative forms part of commitments made between the government and the Dominica Association of Teachers. 

She stated that the government continues to place significant emphasis on the safety and well-being of both students and teachers, noting that the provision of the equipment is aimed at improving emergency preparedness at schools throughout the island.

During the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Dominica Council on Aging held at the Goodwill Parish Hall, President Nigel Lawrence issued a strong call for developers to prioritize senior citizens in the design of national infrastructure. Lawrence emphasized that the Council will continue to advocate for mandatory consultations before any development projects move forward, regardless of whether they are spearheaded by the government or the private sector. 

He criticized the prevalence of modern businesses featuring steep stairs without railings or multi-storey buildings lacking elevators, noting that such designs are unacceptable in an era where aging populations struggle with physical challenges like joint pain and rheumatism. 

Beyond physical infrastructure, Lawrence also called for the education of bus drivers, stating that high music volumes on public transport and near residential areas are damaging to the health of the elderly. 

In support of the aging community, Dr. Cassandra Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, urged younger generations to bridge the widening gap between age groups. She observed that while different generations often share the same homes and villages, they frequently drift apart in a rapidly changing world. 

The Minister made a specific call to action for young people to spend intentional time with their elders to learn from their wisdom and life stories. Williams concluded that by asking questions and listening to how their grandparents survived hardships without modern conveniences, the youth can foster the mutual understanding necessary to build a truly age-friendly nation

Her Ladyship, Honorable Madam Margaret Price-Findlay has officially been sworn in as the 14th Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. During the solemn swearing-in ceremony which took place on Thursday, May 28, the newly appointed Chief Justice took the official oaths of allegiance and office to formally solidify her leadership of the regional judiciary. 

In her official declaration, Chief Justice Price-Findlay swore that she would be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third, his heirs, and successors according to the law. Furthermore, she swore to well and truly serve His Majesty in the office of Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, concluding her oath with a request for divine guidance in the execution of her judicial duties.

Health advocates are raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use ahead of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, warning that tobacco-related illnesses claim more than seven million lives globally each year. 

Officials noted that tobacco and nicotine products are intentionally designed to create addiction, with flavourings and cooling agents often used to mask the harsh effects of nicotine and encourage increased consumption, particularly among users who may become dependent more quickly. 

Public health campaigns are also emphasizing that the effects of quitting tobacco can begin almost immediately. Experts indicated that heart rate can begin to decrease within 20 minutes of quitting, while lung function may improve within weeks. 

They further noted that after one year without tobacco use, the risk of heart disease can be reduced by half, underscoring the long-term health benefits of breaking nicotine addiction

Businessman Gregor Nassief has called for a reset of Dominica’s Electoral Commission, arguing that the body has failed to properly implement electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral system.In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Nassief contended that the Commission’s handling of electoral reform and voter confirmation processes has raised concerns about legitimacy, transparency, and institutional independence ahead of the next general election. 

According to Nassief, figures presented by the Prime Minister during a May 5, 2026 press conference showed that only 6,592 voter confirmation applications had been approved by April 30. He argued that if Dominica’s voting-age population is estimated at about 55,000 residents, the approved applications represent fewer than 12 percent of eligible voters, despite only four and a half months remaining before October 15, 2026. 

Nassief maintained that institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy must not only be independentbut also be perceived by the public as independent. He suggested that both the Electoral Commission and the Chief Elections Officer should resign, or at minimum that the Chairman of the Commission and the Chief Elections Officer be replaced in an effort to rebuild confidence before the next election. 

He further accused the Commission of presiding over a 355-day suspension of continuous voter registration between March 19, 2025 and March 9, 2026, which he described as a violation of the constitutional rights of eligible citizens to register as voters. Nassief also argued that the electoral reform process has stalled, noting that while more than 16,000 applications had reportedly been received by April 30, nearly 10,000 applicants remained unconfirmed after six and a half months. He pointed out that no confirmed voters had yet received voter identification cards and claimed that the Electoral Office was only expected to begin issuing the cards several weeks later.

Tourism Minister Denise Charles-Pemberton has reported positive growth in Dominica’s tourism sector, citing data tracked by Travel and Tour World which indicated that stayover arrivals increased by an estimated 10 percent as of March 31, 2026, compared to the same period in the previous year. 

The minister said these gains reflect ongoing government investment in strengthening the tourism product and enhancing visitor experiences across the island. Her remarks were made during the official launch of Tourism Awareness Month 2026.

United Progressive Party leader Joshua Francis recently addressed the diversity of political thought within the country, acknowledging that individuals hold distinct philosophies, visions, and personal preferences. 

Francis emphasized that while varying perspectives on national discussions are expected and respected, achieving a true change in government requires making strategic choices that offer the highest probability of success. 

He noted that, up to this point, no political entity has provided a scientifically convincing argument demonstrating that any single opposition party is currently capable of winning the minimum eleven legislative seats required to unseat the ruling Dominica Labour Party. 

The UPP political leader further observed that despite widespread confidence expressed by various factions on digital platforms, actual ground realities present a stark contrast. Francis remarked that while many individuals actively promote their respective parties and ideologies on YouTube and Facebook, the actualization of securing electoral victories remains unproven. 

He pointed out that current evidence reveals a noticeable lack of effective political mobilization and activity within several key constituencies, casting doubt on the immediate readiness of alternative parties to challenge the status quo.

Tambran by Tamara is continuing to grow its eco-friendly business model by transforming recyclable and natural materials into luxury jewelry and hair accessories. Founder Tamara Prosper explained that the company uses items such as recycled plastics, palm branches, tamarind seeds, and donkey eye seeds collected across Grenada to create sustainable fashion products. 

She noted that the company recently expanded into hair accessories through a new product line called Hair Hive, which is primarily made from recycled plastic bottles collected in partnership with the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority. The initiative aims to reduce landfill waste by repurposing discarded materials into stylish products for consumers. 

Prosper said support from the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean grant program helped the company invest in equipment to improve production efficiency and scale operations. She indicated that funding was used to purchase bottle-cutting machinery, enhance packaging and marketing, and outfit the Hair Hive product line, while also supporting the broader jewelry business. Prosper also credited the OECS Commission for effectively using social media to promote the grant opportunity, which allowed the business to access resources aimed at strengthening innovation and sustainability.

The Caribbean Development Bank has finalized preparations to host its highly anticipated Youth FIRE Forum on June 1 and 2, 2026, in Nassau, The Bahamas. Convening just ahead of the 56th Annual Meeting of the CDB Board of Governors under the overarching theme of forging the Caribbean’s future through strategic solutions for uncertain times, the forum is designed to tackle how regional youth can build sustainable livelihoods within volatile economic landscapes. 

The event will assemble young leaders, innovators, and development partners to co-create practical solutions regarding climate resilience, artificial intelligence, and social inclusion. 

CDB President Daniel Best emphasized the vital importance of the initiative, stating that Caribbean youth are not merely future leaders but are essential partners in generating immediate developmental solutions. He reaffirmed the bank's commitment to placing youth perspectives, energy, and ideas at the absolute center of regional development policy and programming. 

The two-day forum will kick off with a formal opening ceremony co-hosted by members of the CDB’s Future Leaders Network featuring remarks from President Best, Bahamian Youth and Sports Minister Mario Keith Bowleg & youth representatives from Jamaica and The Bahamas. 

Day one will feature four intensive thematic sessions addressing critical issues such as community prosperity, digital power, climate risk, and youth justice, culminating in a collaborative outcome harvest to draft priority action points. 

The second day will feature a Youth Co-Creation Lab to finalize an official Youth FIRE Outcome Statement for regional governments, alongside an interactive innovation showcase and a high-level intergenerational dialogue led by President Best and regional ministers. 

Concluding with the ceremonial introduction of the second FLN cohort—representing 19 borrowing member countries—the forum aligns directly with the CDB’s 10-year strategic plan for regional resilience. To ensure widespread accessibility, the bank will livestream the major public sessions globally via its official social media & YouTube channels.