​Reports circulating on social media in The Bahamas about four reported deaths and a “mass sickness” episode on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Mariner of the Seas, docked in the Port of Nassau, has been refuted as “fake news” as no official has confirmed this incident, either at the local hospital authorities or Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
 
Earlier on Wednesday, pictures and a write up, allegedly from Bahamas Press, an online and unsourced and self-described “media outlet” known for embellishments and innuendos, had locals in a panic after it was reported that there were a total of five confirmed deaths and a mass sickness event on the Mariner of the Seas.

​Police said there were multiple fatalities at the scene, and that a suspect was now in custody. The shooting occurred at the Capital Gazette newspaper building on Thursday afternoon.
 
One reporter has said a gunman shot through a glass door at "multiple employees" but police told the BBC they could not confirm details.
Some US media are quoting law enforcement officers as saying that there were multiple fatalities and injuries.
 
But county police Lt Ryan Frashure said during a televised news conference that there are injuries, but could not give any further details.

​Former IMF Economist Senator Dr Thompson Fontaine wants all MPs to have equal access to state resources, on behalf of their constituents. Fontaine is demanding that the parliamentary opposition be treated equally, and be given significant access to state resources for the purposes of their constituents, by the DLP government.
 
Fontaine was speaking in response to the government’s proposed Housing recovery strategy project, at the Fourth Meeting of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament, on Monday 25 June 2018.

​UWP Senator and Former IMF Economist Thompson Fontaine

​The Faculty of Health Sciences of the Dominica State College (DSC) will host its 7th Pinning Ceremony this Friday. This event will be historic in that the first group of students to pursue the generic Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at DSC will participate in this rite of passage from nursing students to graduate nurse.
 
The ceremony will be addressed by President of the DSC Dr Donald Peters. The Coordinator of the HIV/AIDS Response Unit, Nurse Lester Guye will deliver the motivational speech. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Chandler Hyacinth will offer congratulatory remarks on behalf of that ministry.
 
The ceremony will begin at 4:00 pm at the Upper Campus of DSC under the theme “Pursuing Global Standards with Integrity and Excellence”.

​Following Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 nine communities were declared special disaster areas due to level of damage and lives affected and lost as a result of that storm
 
Disaster risk management specialist with the ODM Cecil Shillingford say that the special disaster area particularly those with the Rivers got a battering from the category five Maria in September last year and that studies are still being conducted on the special disaster areas of 2015 to ascertain their safety, and a way forward. He also mentions that Campbell poses a unique challenge and will special attention.

Disaster Risk Management Specialist with the ODM Cecil Shillingford  

​Leader of the United Workers Party Lennox Linton has defended the presentation of UWP president, Senator Isaac Baptiste, at the 4th Meeting of the 3rd Session of the 9th Parliament in Dominica on Monday.
 
Linton emphasized that Baptiste stayed within the context of the matter before the house of Parliament, which was a resolution brought forward by the DLP led government, for a loan approval, for the purpose of the administrations Housing recovery strategy project.
 
According to the UWP Leader, the speaker of the House’s intervention during Baptiste’s presentation, was unnecessary and abusive.

​Linton continued stating that the speaker of the house, namely Alix Boyd Knights, appeared to be biased on her ruling, as there was no basis for her interruption and ruling against Isaac Baptiste.

​According to the UWP Leader, the explanation giving to the house of parliament by Ms Boyd Knights, for interrupting Baptiste’s presentation, was disrespectful. Linton is calling on the citizens of Dominica to send a clear message to Alix Boyd Knights, to carry out her duties properly and with integrity.

​Leader of the United Workers Party Lennox Linton

​In a press release sent to Q95 news on June 28, 2018, the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC) says it will celebrate Olympic Day on Saturday June 30, 2018. According to Tania Burnett, Capacity Support Officer at the DOC, this will mark the 124th anniversary of the Founding of the International Olympic Committee, with the observance of Olympic Day.
 
This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday June 30, 2018 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with participants of all ages gathering at Lindo Park, Goodwill from 2:00 pm.  It begins with the traditional Run/Walk/Cycle/Movement vent and will be followed by a demonstration of sporting activities at display booths at the Lindo Park, Goodwill by various national sporting associations.  Preceding the event, the message of IOC President, Mr. Thomas Bach, will be read by the President of the DOC, Mr. Billy Doctrove. 
 
The DOC is appealing for the general public to support this year’s event, as the event is open to all age groups and refreshments will be served. 
Please note that wheelchair-bound members and cyclist can also participate since the route has been modified to suit everyone and they should all gather at the Lindo Park, at Goodwill from 2:00 p.m. 
 
The route for the Run/Walk/Cycle/Movement activity is as follows:
 
·         It will Beginning at the Lindo Park in Goodwill;
·         down the Goodwill Link Road taking a left turn after the bridge
·         alongside the Sports Stadium towards the UWI Open Campus Site to the Botanic Gardens;
·         through the Botanic Gardens to the intersection on Bath Road;
·         right turn along Bath Road to the Goodwill Link Road;
·         and then back to the Lindo Park in Goodwill

Chairman of the now dissolved Village Council Edward Thomas says some residents are tired of waiting, and are considering moving back to their original homes in Pettit Savanne.
 
At the Belleview Chopin construction site where they are to be housed, work is still being done to deliver residential houses promised to the people of Pettit Savanne since 2015.
 
The Housing Project is said to comprise of residential, commercial as well as recreational buildings and facilities.
 
The project contracted to Montreal Management consultancy establishment (MMCE) is expected to deliver community centres a farmers market and a health centre amongst other facilities.
 
The project is expected to yield 316 residential units, 51 single bedroom units 146 two-bedroom units 73 three-bedroom units and 48 four bedroom units.
 
He says that it is a serious challenge, but urges them hold on because the journey is almost over.

Chairman of the now dissolved Village Council Edward Thomas

Samaritan’s Purse is an Evangelical humanitarian aid organization which arrived in Dominica shortly after hurricane Maria. The organization conducted a needs-based assessment recently, which set the platform for numerous programs currently being undertaken by the organization.
 
Area coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse Stephen Edwards says one of the main areas of focus is water, sanitation and Hygiene Projects, but they will also be working closely with some churches on island, particularly in rebuilding and repairs.Samaritan’s Purse is an Evangelical humanitarian aid organization which arrived in Dominica shortly after hurricane Maria. The organization conducted a needs-based assessment recently, which set the platform for numerous programs currently being undertaken by the organization.
 
Area coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse Stephen Edwards says one of the main areas of focus is water, sanitation and Hygiene Projects, but they will also be working closely with some churches on island, particularly in rebuilding and repairs 

​Area Coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse Stephen Edward 

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Reginald Thomas says his ministry is aware of the many challenges faced by women and youth.
The ministry recently held a "Meet the farmers consultation" held in the 7 agricultural regions which saw a total of 891 attendees, which a large number of that figure being women.
He says some of the issues faced by female farmers is lack of labour, low productivity, high cost of services, suitable land for growing crop, irrigation, capital and market access.

Thomas says the introduction of modern technologies such as hydroponics, rain water harvesting technology, vertical agriculture, aquaponics, and use of precision farming to optimize farming systems also offer an avenue to use creative minds.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr Reginald Thomas