​President of the United Workers Party (UWP) Lennox Linton has accused Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of mismanaging the CBI program and  enabling a private Citizenship by Investment (CBI) scheme that has marginalized the government’s own economic diversification efforts.
 
Linton claims that Skerrit’s actions allowed Anthony Haiden, CEO of Montreal Management Consultants Est (MMCE) and who is his close associate, to control a separate CBI scheme known as the Housing Option. This scheme allegedly offers discounted prices that undermine the government’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), resulting in Haiden’s Housing Option controlling over 90% of CBI revenue while the EDF struggles with less than 10%.

President of the United Workers Party, Lennox Linton.

Building a Culture of Social and Emotional Learning, Decolonising Education, and introducing AI in Education are among the hot-button issues to be explored at the highly anticipated Regional Symposium and Policy Dialogue on Transforming Education, to be hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and its partners from 2nd to 4th October 2024 in the Cayman Islands.
 
Under the theme “Understanding, Leveraging, and Unlocking Our Full Potential”, the Symposium will offer thought-provoking discussions and expert presentations to equip stakeholders with tools to drive meaningful change in the Caribbean education sector.
 
Day one will kick off with a keynote session on Indigenising and Decolonising Education for National and Regional Transformation, confronting colonial legacies head-on and highlighting the urgent need to weave Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into our education systems. Day two shifts the focus to innovation and resilience, beginning with the keynote, Beyond Academics: Building a Culture of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in Schools and Classrooms.
 
The final day focuses on revolutionizing school environments, with a hard-hitting session on Reimagining the Future: Radical Shifts Needed for Caribbean Education Transformation. The plenary sessions, including the Opening Ceremony, featuring a keynote address by the Honourable Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, Premier of the Cayman Islands, will be live-streamed on CDB YouTube and the CDB website. The Symposium is being hosted by CDB, in association with other development agencies.

​Political Leader of the United Workers Party, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, welcomes the announcement by Tourism Minister, Denise Charles-Pemberton, over the weekend. Mrs. Pemberton expressed excitement over the contract agreement between her Ministry and United Airlines, for non-stop flights into Dominica beginning February 2025.

​Speaking to Q95 news on September 28, 2024, Dr Fontaine said while his party welcomes the news, more needs to be done by the Government of Dominica to prepare for the expected increase in visitor arrivals.

United Workers Party Leader, Dr. Thomson Fontaine.

​Discover Dominica Authority announced a new non-stop flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM), operated by United Airlines, beginning February 15, 2025. This route, which operates on Saturdays, marks the second non-stop connection from the U.S. to Dominica.
 
CEO Marva Williams stated that the flight will help capitalize on growing traveler interest and facilitate group bookings by U.S.-based tour operators. The launch coincides with Dominica’s Mas Domnik Carnival on March 3-4, 2025, a vibrant celebration of traditional Carnival customs.

​Williams further stated that the new flight from Newark to Dominica will launch just in time for the island's renowned Mas Domnik Carnival, scheduled for March 3 - 4, 2025.

​CEO of Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) Marva Williams.

​General Manager of the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA), Paula Platsko contends that farmers have placed their trust in DEXIA andattributed this to the agency’s consistent on-time payments over the years. She said this confidence has led to a significant increase in the volume and variety of agricultural products being delivered to DEXIA.
 
Platsko reported that Bay oil farmers across the island have received a total of $398,000 from DEXIA. She also revealed that since April 2023, after the launch of a $5 million procurement facility for agricultural produce, 500 farmers have been paid a combined $2,401,359.25. She claims this initiative has further cemented DEXIA’s role in supporting the agricultural sector.

​DEXIA General Manager, Paula Platsko.

A tropical wave over the eastern Atlantic Ocean is being monitored closely, with a high chance of developing into a tropical depression in the coming days. Forecaster Dale Destin reported that this disturbance, now designated as Tropical Depression Twelve, is expected to become the 11th named storm, Tropical Storm Kirk, within 24 hours and could reach Major Hurricane status by Friday. Fortunately, it poses little to no concern for the Caribbean.
 
As of 5 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Twelve was located at latitude 14.0 North and longitude 34.1 West. The system is moving westward at approximately 8 mph (13 km/h), with a general motion expected to continue through Tuesday, followed by a gradual turn to the northwest by Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds are currently around 35 mph (55 km/h), with stronger gusts anticipated. Steady strengthening is expected, with the depression likely to become a hurricane by Tuesday night or Wednesday. The estimated minimum central pressure stands at 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

At the official opening of Independence celebrations last week, Minister for Culture Gretta Roberts urged Dominicans to recommit to the values of unity, community, and solidarity. She emphasized the importance of coming together, setting aside differences—including political affiliations—and recognizing that strength lies in unity among the people.

​Roberts also stated that the government is dedicated to harnessing the skills and talents of Dominicans by creating opportunities in sports, youth development, and culture, to build a better Dominica.

​Minister for Culture, Gretta Roberts.

​CEO of Every Data ECCU Limited, Van Reynders, has announced plans to enhance credit reporting services across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). Reynders highlighted that, under the current Credit Reporting Act, individuals are entitled to only one free credit report annually—a policy he believes falls short of meeting customer needs. He pointed out that the limited number of branches across the ECCU further restricts access to credit information.
 
In response, Reynders revealed a significant upgrade: the introduction of the "My Every Data App." This new platform will empower ECCU customers to request their credit reports for free and enjoy unlimited access to their credit information at any time. This innovation is set to transform how individuals manage their credit, offering convenience and greater transparency.

CEO of Every Data ECCU Limited, Van Reynders.

​On World Tourism Day - September 27, 2024 - the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) proudly unveiled two vital scholarship initiatives designed to bolster sustainable and resilient practices within the Caribbean tourism industry.

The Tourism Resilience Scholarship Fund, made possible through a generous donation from Saint Lucia’s Jade Mountain Resort, is designed to support Caribbean hospitality professionals in their pursuit of advanced training in resilience building, sustainable tourism, and destination stewardship.

Additionally, the CHTAEF introduces the Marine Health Scholarship Program, made possible through donations by leading scuba tour operators Dreamweaver, DiVentures, and Caradonna. This program is dedicated to fostering a new generation of marine professionals who are passionate about preserving and enhancing the Caribbean's marine environment.

Karolin Troubetzkoy, Chair of the CHTAEF, shared her enthusiasm: “We are immensely proud to launch these scholarships on World Tourism Day. They reflect our commitment to advancing sustainable tourism and resilience within the Caribbean.” 

These scholarships underscore the CHTAEF’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and professional development within the Caribbean tourism industry, thus ensuring its sustainability and resilience for generations to come. For more information persons are advised to visit www.chtaef.com. 

​The Rotary Club of Portsmouth spearheaded several impactful initiatives during the month of September 2024, promoting education, health and environmental sustainability. 
 
PRO, Kalisha Aaron, explained the initiatives undertaken by the Rotary Club of Portsmouth including the installation of new playground equipment at the Savanne Paille Primary School. 

​Aaron revealed what occurred at the book reading held at the Savanne Paille Primary School in celebration of International Literacy Day - And the tree planting on World Rivers Day.

​PRO of the Rotary Club of Portsmouth, Kalisha Aaron.