Minister for Commerce, Enterprise & Small Business Development Roslyn Paul says government's financial support to small enterprises and business development across important sectors and sub-sectors through the AID Bank will be sustained in the coming year.
She says so too for the small grants program at her ministry.

​Minister for Commerce Roslyn Paul

Minister for Public Works Dr Collin McIntyre has assured residents of the Soufriere Constituency that the road and sea defence walls in their part of the island will be given some attention in the new year.
He was speaking on a local radio program this week.

​Minister for Public Works Dr Collin McIntyre.

The Minister for Climate Resilience Joseph Isaac has made available $25,000 towards a "climate resilience" project in the Roseau South Constituency.
DLP caretaker for the constituency Jahisiah Benoit says the team heading the project is made up of persons who are being trained by the Forestry Division in Plant propagation.

DLP caretaker for the Roseau South constituency Jahisiah Benoit

Strong and gusty  winds are reportedly forecast to move across most of the Caribbean this weekend - Friday into Sunday.
Meteorologist/Climatologist Dale Austin says these winds will make for hazardous conditions onshore and especially offshore.
Some activities on land will become dangerous, and maritime conditions will be very hazardous for small craft operators he says.
He says the high winds and seas may be reminiscent of the passage of a weak tropical storm, but they won't be due to any such system.
He says the elevated winds will be the result of a very steep pressure gradient, due to the strength and location of the centre of a high pressure system.  The pressure gradient- the horizontal change of pressure, will be around 25percent  higher than normal.

A Chinese court will hear an appeal Saturday from a Canadian man reportedly convicted of drug smuggling -- the latest case to test relations between Ottawa and Beijing following the detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver this month.
Meng is currently on bail pending an extradition hearing to the US on charges of violating sanctions against Iran. Since her arrest, multiple Canadian citizens have been detained in China even as both governments refused to link the cases.
The Liaoning High People's Court said in a statement Wednesday that a Canadian man it identified as Robert Lloyd Schellenberg would appear before it this weekend.

​Roman Catholic Bishop Gabriel Malzaire says he is “relieved” that Rome issued its findings, after taking into consideration the Statute of limitations and the age of Monsignor Eustace Thomas in a matter of sexual misconduct allegations, and he hopes both parties can accept the verdict and "move on with their lives."
 
Bishop Malzaire said, "as far as I am concerned, this chapter is closed, both parties have been kept informed all the way while the process was ongoing. When the decision was taken, they were informed so that each party can move on, and so Monsignor Thomas has been informed and also the person involved".
 
Bishop Malzaire explained that The Doctrine of Faith in Rome took into consideration that the accused is over 75 old; that the statute of limitations has passed (based on the laws of the church at that period in time – and no additional complaints were made against the accused to say that he was a threat to minors).
 
Asked if it means that Monsignor Thomas was found guilty of the alleged incident, Bishop Malzaire replied "I can't say he was found guilty, the letter said considering the "alleged allegations"; the letter and recommendations from Rome does not say he was found guilty or not."
 
Meantime, the person at the centre of the allegations against Monsignor Thomas said she is "happy with the results and findings" and thanked all those who stood with her.
 
In his letter to the complainant, Bishop Malzaire wrote: "On behalf of the Church in the Diocese of Roseau, I deeply regret the pain this situation caused you and your family. I am conscious of the fact that it took tremendous courage and strength on your part to pursue this matter, especially as it concerned a member of your family. I pray this will bring closure to the situation, and that you and your family will be able to find the necessary healing and solace

ENT Specialist, Dr Irvin Pascal, is greatly concerned over Health MinisterDr. Kenneth Darroux’s statements about the current state of Dominica’s Health Care System.

Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux.
​
However, Dr Irvin Pascal believes the current DLP administration has caused significant retardation in the growth of the Health Sector in Dominica. Dr Pascal is hoping that the Health Minister,who is his junior colleague, will accept his offer to advice him, in order to improve the health sector.

​ENT Specialist, Dr Irvin Pascal.

Member of Dominica’s Electoral Commission, Businessman Wayne James, has dismisseda recent statement by Health Minister Dr Kenneth on Dominica’s health sector, as ‘insulting’.James also questioned the individuals who attended a recent meeting with Health Minister Dr Kenneth Darroux.

​Executive Member on Dominica’s electoral Commission and Businessman, Wayne James.

The United Workers Party (UWP) has called on the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administration to stop making Haitian Nationals pay a bond of US$400 upon entry into Dominica.
 
Haiti became a member state of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on July 2, 2002, which allowed for the unrestricted movement of its citizens to other member states, including Dominica, according to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
 
A statement released by the UWP on Wednesday December 26, claimed that the $US400.00 deposit for legal entry by Haitians into Dominica, is refundable “upon legal departure from the State within one month of entry.”
 
UWP condemned the alleged practice, referring to it as “discriminatory” and an “unpardonable act,” as that requirement is allegedly not being imposed on citizens of any other CARICOM member state.
 
Q95 efforts to contact the Ministry of Immigration and National Security for a response have been unsuccessful so far. However, Q95 will continue to pursue every effort to get a response from the appropriate authority.

Thirteen (13) families were presented with grocery hampers during the Christmas season by the National Bank of Dominica. In the spirit of Christmas cheer and giving, the NBD assisted 12 communities and three institutions, and alsothrew an annual children’s Christmas party for the students and staff of the Salisbury government school.
 
And if that wasn’t enough,NBD staff also came together to host the residents of operation ‘Youth Quake’ and ‘chances’ at a luncheon.
 
NBD Executive Director Marketing, Susan Piper says the bank is very happy to have been able to spread much love and joy during the Christmas holidays.

​NBD Executive Director of Marketing, Susan Piper