​Senator Delbert Paris has announced his candidacy for political leader of the United Workers Party, a position currently held by Economist Dr. Thomson Fontaine.
 
Paris believes he has the character and strategic plans to ensure the support base of the party grows and the majority of the Parliamentary seats to be contested are won. 

​Senator Paris also says has no ill will against the current leader. He added that his decision is simply one that is encouraged by the principles of the UWP, that ‘democracy is always welcome’ and says if he were to lose the election, he will support whoever is elected as the political leader.

​Opposition Senator, Delbert Paris.

​The Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the University of the West Indies (UWI), in partnership with the project "Improving Livelihoods through Diversified High-Value Vegetable Crop Production in Selected Agroclimatic Zones" (TCP/DM1/4001), successfully concluded a four-day training program for 26 extension officers from the Division of Agriculture.
 
Held from November 25 to 28, 2024, at the Agricultural Science Complex in One Mile, Portsmouth, the training focused on equipping officers with advanced techniques in integrated vegetable crop management. Key areas included protected agriculture, water management strategies, and integrated pest management (IPM) methodologies.
 
Organized as part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, these sessions aim to keep extension officers updated on the latest advancements in agriculture, ensuring effective knowledge transfer to farmers and enhancing overall productivity in the sector. 

CXC Local Registrar Magalie Celestine announced today that the official registration period for secondary schools to enter candidates for the 2025 May/June CSEC Examinations has closed. However, she confirmed that private candidates can still register to sit the exams. Celestine also reminded that registration for CCSLC and CVQ candidates remains open until January 15, 2024.

​Celestine praised teachers across the island for their unwavering dedication in assisting students with the completion of their School-Based Assessments (SBAs) in preparation for the upcoming 2025 examinations. Celestine acknowledged the significant role educators have played in guiding students through this important aspect of their coursework as they approach the May/June CSEC Exams.

​Magalie Celestine, CXC Local Registrar.

​From November 6-8, 2024, heritage tourism took center stage as stakeholders across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) convened for a pivotal regional consultation. The event marked a significant step toward establishing the OECS Heritage Tourism Network, a collaborative effort designed to enhance the region’s cultural and historical tourism offerings. Supported by the RIGHT Programme, the initiative aims to empower institutions to develop sustainable tourism experiences that honor and preserve the Caribbean’s rich heritage while promoting economic growth.

Photo: Discover Dominica Authority and Dominica Delegates at DEMA
 
The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) successfully participated in the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, held from November 19-22 in Las Vegas. Represented by CEO Marva Williams and Destination Marketing Manager Andia Ravariere, the DDA highlighted Dominica's exceptional diving opportunities alongside local partners Nature Island Dive and Fort Young Hotel & Dive Resort.
 
The DEMA Show, renowned for drawing thousands of industry professionals and hundreds of exhibitors worldwide, served as a prime platform for networking and promoting diving destinations. In her address, CEO Marva Williams emphasized Dominica's growing reputation as a premier dive destination in the Caribbean.

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

​The Dominica Athletics Association will host its 2nd Edition of the DAA Kids Athletics Festival, scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 1st, 2024, from 12:00 PM at Lindo Park. The DAA Kids Athletics Festival will serve as a culmination of the DAA Kids Athletics Train the Trainers Workshop where coaches will gain theoretical and practical insight on the World Athletics Kid’s Athletics Program.
 
The first DAA Kids Athletics Festival was successfully held in August 2024 where over 200 children ages 4-14 participated. The 2nd DAA Kids Athletics Festival is set to host 5 clubs with athletes in the following areas;
 
·         Aithons Athletics Club- Bellevue Chopin, Grandbay and Bagatelle.
·         Kalinago Eagles Athletics Club-Gaulette River and Londonderry Playing Field.
·         Pioneers Athletics Club-Botanical Gardens.
·         Striderz Athletics Club-Botanical Gardens.
·         Wesmar Rangers Athletics Club-Londonderry Playing Field and Woodfordhill.
·         Winners Circle Athletics Club-Benjamin’s Park

​The Love One Teach One Foundation is expressing condolences to the family of murder victim Curtilia Charles, who was senselessly murdered by a gun shot on the evening of November 26, 2024 at her residence in the community of Silverlake.
 
Speaking to Q95 News on Thursday, Executive Director of the Love One Teach One Foundation, Gloria Walsh, reveals that her Foundation has been quite active in the community of Silverlake in efforts to curb the rise in violence within that community, through the implementation of children-based social programs, since 2005.

​Walsh explained that the Private Sector and other social-based Foundations and associations have in times past partnered with Love One Teach One Foundation, to implement programs that kept children from engaging in violent activity.

​Love One Teach One Foundation, Executive Director, Gloria Walsh.

​CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett addressed the opening of the 59th Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), highlighting the extensive agenda before the Council. The meeting focuses on key issues surrounding regional trade, economic integration, and development.
 
Dr. Barnett reminded attendees of the vision behind the Revised Treaty, which sought to balance the collective interests of the CARICOM community with the needs of individual member states. She emphasized that the goal was never to create winners and losers, but to foster a united community that supports enhanced trade, investment, and development for the benefit of all its members.

​Dr. Barnett praised recent advancements in key areas. She highlighted progress on the review of the Common External Tariff and Rules of Origin, as well as the development of draft rules of procedure for the Caribbean Accreditation Council (CAD).

​CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett.

​On October 15, 2024, representatives from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission convened at the OECS Commission headquarters in Saint Lucia to strategize on cooperative activities and programs to address migration challenges & opportunities in the region.
 
The meeting focused on aligning efforts to navigate issues surrounding the movement of people within the Eastern Caribbean, emphasizing shared goals and initiatives.
 
Dr. Didacus Jules, OECS Director General, highlighted the strong partnership between the two organizations, stating, “The relationship with the IOM has been mutually rewarding as there are several initiatives where our mandates converge, especially on the issue of migration.”
 
The discussions underscored the importance of collaborative approaches to ensure sustainable and effective migration management, benefiting member states and the wider region.

​The World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, has unveiled its Country Climate and Development Report for Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines. The report highlights the dual threat and opportunity posed by climate change to these nations, emphasizing that proactive responses could bolster resilience and support long-term development objectives.
 
The study paints a stark picture of the challenges ahead, with Saint Lucia projected to lose 34% of its sandy beaches to rising sea levels by 2100. Additionally, up to 57% of the island's hotel revenue is at risk within the same timeframe, potentially crippling its tourism sector. Across the four nations, temperatures exceeding 30°C are expected on 22 more days annually by the end of the century, exacerbating environmental and economic vulnerabilities.
 
Despite these risks, the report calls for urgent, targeted actions to address the intersection of climate change and development, offering a roadmap for resilience and sustainable growth.