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During Wednesday’s parliamentary session, Marigot MP Anthony Charles publicly urged Salisbury MP Jesma Paul Victor, who stepped down as Opposition Leader in 2024, to finalize and submit the required documents for the role’s official handover to the President of Dominica. In response, Victor refuted any suggestion that she was delaying the process. She revealed that before her resignation, she had directly contacted Charles to begin preparations for his transition into the position. However, she disclosed a surprising detail—that Charles had responded by stating, “The country can do without an opposition leader until elections,” casting doubt on his commitment to the process. Salisbury MP, Jesma Paul Victor
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A historic legal challenge has been launched in Dominica against laws that criminalize same-sex relations, marking a significant step in pushing the agenda of the LGBTQ+ community. Backed by regional and international human rights groups—including the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, and the University of Toronto’s International Human Rights Program—the case seeks to overturn statutes rooted in colonial-era legislation.
At the heart of this lawsuit is a gay Dominican man, whose identity remains confidential for safety reasons. The claimant argues that Dominica’s laws against “buggery” and “gross indecency” violate the fundamental rights protected by the country’s Constitution. The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network revealed that the man has faced years of violence and discrimination, including a brutal assault in his own home, which police allegedly ignored, leaving the perpetrator unpunished. The case, filed earlier this month, has been brought to public attention by Daryl Phillip of Minority Rights Dominica (MiRiDom) and Maurice Tomlinson, Senior Policy Analyst with the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. They emphasized the urgent need for legal reform, noting the real and ongoing harm these outdated laws cause to members of Dominica’s LGBTQ+ community. Representative of Gems Foundation, and Media Personality, Jael Joseph, reveals that the Gems Foundation is hosting a three day ‘Artisan Market event featuring 32 Artisans, who will have Dominican made and crafted products for sale to the public.Joseph told Q95 today, that the event is being held at the Fort Young Hotel from August 1st to the 3rd 2025. Marketer, Representative of Gems Foundation, and Media Personality, Jael Joseph
President Burton is underscoring the immense contribution of the CBI program to Dominica’s economy and sustainable development, stating that its revenues have funded numerous national projects across various sectors. These include crucial investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, tourism, and climate resilience, such as a new international airport, geothermal energy facilities, major hotel developments, climate-resilient homes, 12 new health centers, school construction and renovations, the new Marigot Hospital, the Caprice Marina in Portsmouth, and a proposed cable car system. She emphasized that these initiatives possess the power to transform Dominica’s socioeconomic landscape and significantly improve lives across the island.Despite its contributions, President Burton acknowledged that Dominica’s CBI program has faced constant attacks from critics in both traditional media and across social platforms. She stated that these voices do not have Dominica’s best interests at heart, characterizing their mission as one to "break down" and "undermine" rather than to build or uplift, driven by personal and political agendas. President Burton implored Dominicans not to allow these forces to "rob" them, their children, and the country of an opportunity to thrive, stressing that "there is far too much at stake." President Sylvanie Burton
DOMLEC has restored electricity to several communities along the island’s West Coast following an unexpected power outage that occurred Tuesday evening. The disruption left customers in the dark from Jimmit to Sugar Loaf in the North. DOMLEC announced the partial restoration via its official Facebook page, confirming that while some areas now have power, service remained out between Hodges and North End. A crew was dispatched to address the remaining affected areas.
The outage began at approximately 6:18 PM, prompting DOMLEC to initiate an investigation into its cause. The company acknowledged in its initial public statement that the reason for the disruption was unclear at that time and requested customers' patience during the resolution and restoration efforts. DOMLEC also extended an apology for the inconvenience caused and thanked customers for their understanding. Residents are advised to continue monitoring DOMLEC’s social media channels for the latest updates on full power restoration. Dominica Born CEO of the Antigua Port Authority, Chair of the OECS Port Committee, and President of the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC), Mr. Darwin Telemaque, gave an update on the impact of the grounding of MV Addie K Boat has on critically needed fresh produce. The motor vessel Addie K ran aground along the west coast of St. Kitts and Nevis, in a troubling incident that has left the vessel stranded on a sandbank near the shore. There are growing concerns that the vessel may be taking on water, prompting immediate attention from maritime authorities. The MV Addie K is a crucial player in regional shipping, serving as a vital link connecting Dominica with Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts. Telemacque confirmed that the grounding of the vessel is expected to pose significant challenges for the transportation of goods between these islands, with particular concern for the supply of fresh produce from Dominica. He calls on other small Ship Owners from Portsmouth Dominica to step up and pick up the slack in trade caused by the unfortunate grounding of MV Addie K Shipping. Dominica Born CEO of the Antigua Port Authority, Mr. Darwin Telemaque
In his presentation at Parliament on July 30, 2025, Marigot MP, Anthony Samora Charles, made a case to have the President Of Dominica along with relevant authorities, appoint him as Opposition Leader, something which was constitutionally supposed to have been a smooth process after the resignation of Former Salisbury MP, Jesma Paul as the then Opposition Leader in 2023 - who agreed to serve a tenure of 2 years and a half and to pass on the remaining 2 years to Mr Charles since the 2022 General Elections. Charles extended a plea to the elected member of parliament to formalize an agreement between them to pass on the position of Opposition Leader to Anthony Charles, who is the other qualified member to hold the position. Marigot MP, Anthony Samora Charles
On yesterday's insightful 'Health Vibes' program on Q95, prominent Orthopedist Dr. Andre Wilson provided a comprehensive and accessible explanation of arthritis, a prevalent and often debilitating condition. During his segment, Dr. Wilson meticulously described the fundamental meaning of the disease, breaking down its complexities for the general public. He further elaborated on the various symptoms associated with arthritis, enabling listeners to better identify potential signs of the condition in themselves or others. Dr. Wilson also precisely identified the parts of the body which are typically affected by arthritis, offering valuable geographical context to its manifestations. His detailed presentation aimed to significantly enhance public understanding of this common disease, providing crucial information for recognizing its presence and comprehending its impact on individuals' daily lives. Orthopedist, Dr. Andre Wilson
President Sylvanie Burton revealed alarming statistics on Dominica's mental health and addiction challenges during her address at the 2025-2026 National Budget presentation. From May 2023 to May 2024, 398 patients were admitted to the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital. Burton emphasized that mental health, despite being crucial for well-being, remains neglected and stigmatized, advocating for its treatment as a non-communicable condition. Data showed 890 patients treated for mental, neurological, and substance disorders in district clinics in 2023, with a significant male majority in APU admissions and re-admissions. Substance Use Disorder accounted for 55% of primary diagnoses, and suicide attempts are a growing concern, with 13 recorded already in 2025.President Burton stressed that stigma often prevents individuals from seeking help, urging a collective effort to challenge these attitudes and offer support. She highlighted government efforts with PAHO to develop new health policies and training. She also warned about the dangers of excessive substance consumption, particularly "throwback" alcohol use, due to its severe impact on vital organs. Acknowledging the difficulty of overcoming addiction, Burton called for education to break down stigma, improved access to mental health care & rehabilitation, & empathetic support for those struggling, emphasizing that recovery is possible with community involvement. President of Dominica, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton
Economist and leader of the United Workers Party, Dr. Thomson Fontaine criticized the DLP Regime's 2025/2026 budget on Tuesday's 'Global View on Q', describing its proposals as "half-measures" in addressing the country's problems. Dr. Fontaine specifically highlighted high VAT prices as the primary issue affecting Dominicans. He questioned the rationale behind a six-month period for tax cuts on select imports, when VAT costs have remained high since the implementation of the 15% VAT in 2006. Dr. Fontaine also expressed consternation regarding the specific food items that these tax cuts would apply to, ultimately finding the entire tax cut policy to be "weird." His remarks underscore a broader skepticism within the opposition regarding the effectiveness and clarity of the government's proposed fiscal strategies for the upcoming year. UWP Leader and Economist, Dr. Thomson Fontaine
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