Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) Marketing Executive Markerah George has invited the citizens of Dominica to the 15th Jazz 'n Creole Festival, set to take place on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at the Fort Shirley, Cabrits National Park. 


Under the theme "Afro Elegance," the event serves as a critical pillar for the Ministry of Tourism to drive travel, increase visitor spend, and create economic opportunities for local creators and small businesses. 


Mr. George noted that the festival weekend now features an expanded calendar including Breakfast Village, Jazz in the City, Jazz in the Garden, and Jazz and Dine. These activities aim to encourage longer stays and higher occupancy for accommodation providers in the north and across the country.

Markerah George, Marketing Executive for the Discover Dominica Authority…… 

Adding to the weekend's premium offerings, the "Exhale in Paradise" and "Aura" events promise to elevate the festival's luxury appeal. Monelle Latouche, Public Relations Officer for AURA, described the event as the ultimate destination for those seeking a high-end social atmosphere.

The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) directly engaged with the residents of St. Aroment on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, as part of its ongoing "Meet and Greet Foot Patrol". 

Between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, officers walked the neighborhood streets in a collaborative effort with Police Assisting Communities to Excel (P.A.C.E.) to foster a closer relationship between law enforcement and local citizens. 

Officers also utilized the time to reassure the community that regular patrols will continue to maintain a consistent sense of security in the area. 

The community's response to the initiative was overwhelmingly positive, with many residents actively welcoming the officers into their neighborhood. 

The CDPF noted that this visit to St. Aroment is just one segment of a much larger island-wide outreach strategy aimed at building mutual trust and creating safer living environments for all Dominicans. 

By prioritizing these face-to-face interactions, the police force intends to move beyond traditional enforcement and establish itself as a dedicated partner in community development and national stability.

The world is set to observe the first-ever International Day of Women in Industry on April 21, 2026, marking a historic milestone in recognizing the vital contributions of women to global industrial development. 

Proclaimed during the 2025 Global Industry Summit in Riyadh, the day highlights how female leadership and innovation are driving essential green and digital transitions. 

For the Caribbean region, this observance is particularly significant, as it aims to increase the visibility of women who are currently leading transformations in sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, and agro processing. 

To commemorate the occasion, UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna will host high-level discussions focusing on gender-responsive industrial policies and the use of AI-driven insights to close data gaps regarding women's economic contributions. 

While women in Small Island Developing States are already pioneering resilient solutions to climate and economic challenges, they continue to face barriers such as unequal access to finance and limited representation in STEM fields. 

UNIDO and its regional partners are calling for this inaugural day to move beyond mere celebration, urging concrete commitments to invest in women-owned enterprises and create stronger pathways for female leadership to ensure a more inclusive and competitive industrial future.

Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Hospital Authority, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, has issued a call for medical practitioners within the primary healthcare system to prioritize compassion in their service delivery. 

His remarks were made during a health symposium and awards ceremony held at the Dominica/China Friendship Auditorium on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Dr. Darroux emphasized that a compassionate approach is a fundamental component of effective healthcare and is essential for building trust between providers and the community. 

The event was organized as part of the inaugural Primary Healthcare Week, which was held to honor the legacy of the late Dr. Carissa Etienne. During the symposium, health officials and practitioners gathered to celebrate excellence in the field while discussing strategies to improve the national health infrastructure. 

By focusing on the human element of medicine, Dr. Darroux highlighted that the future of Dominican healthcare rests not only on technical expertise but also on the empathetic care provided to every patient.

The Government of Dominica has expressed deep sorrow following the passing of former Government Minister and public servant Ian Pinard, who first entered Parliament in 2005 as the representative for the Soufriere constituency and was re-elected in 2014, serving the people of Soufriere, Scotts Head, Gallion, and Pointe Michel with distinction. 

During his tenure in the Cabinet, he held the roles of Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and later Minister for Public Works and Ports, where he was instrumental in managing the nation's road and port infrastructure during critical periods of recovery and reconstruction. 

Beyond his elected service, Mr. Pinard held significant executive leadership positions, including roles at PetroCaribe Dominica and his most recent post as Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA). 

He is being remembered as a steadfast public servant who approached his duties with quiet determination and a profound sense of obligation to his country. 

The Government has extended its sincere condolences to his family, friends, and former constituents, honoring his lifelong commitment to national development and his dedicated service to the people of Dominica.

Dominica Women’s Senior National Football team Captain Trinity Esprit remains optimistic about her squad’s potential despite a "heartbreaking" 1-1 draw against Antigua & Barbuda on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. 

Playing at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia, Esprit gave her nation a historic lead in the 63rd minute, marking Dominica's first goal and first point of the 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers. 

Despite the missed win, the draw snapped a three-match scoring drought and ended a streak of consecutive defeats for the national team. 

Dominica currently sits at the bottom of Group B with a 0-1-2 record, but the team is already shifting its focus to their final hurdle of the tournament. 

While Nicaragua holds a strong second-place position in the group, the Dominican squad aims to build on the momentum of their defensive resilience and newfound offensive rhythm. 

For Esprit and her teammates, the upcoming clash represents a final opportunity to translate their improved performance into a definitive victory on the international stage.

During a recent broadcast of Global View on Q, pharmacist Anderson Jolly offered a scathing assessment of the financial landscape, asserting that Dominica’s banking system lacks the strength and structure necessary to support robust lending. 

Jolly criticized the top-down approach of the administration, specifically targeting the Prime Minister’s management of public funds and the lack of clarity regarding repayment timelines. 

He noted that this unpredictable environment has created significant anxiety among the local business community, who fear that a lack of monetary fluidity is stifling private enterprise. 

Beyond the banking sector, Jolly highlighted a growing disconnect between government subsidies and the actual needs of health-conscious citizens. 

He argued that while the government recently provided discounts on processed items like canned sardines and mackerel, these do not benefit the majority of people who prioritize fresh, healthy nutrition.

The Dominica National Lottery has distributed more than $5.4 million to players since the introduction of the Blast mystery progressive game. Aaronia James, Brand Manager for the organization, shared these figures during a recent presentation ceremony in Pottersville. 

The substantial payout total highlights the ongoing success of the gaming product and its impact on the local gaming community across the island. During the event held at Prestige Folks, two local winners were officially presented with their significant winnings. 

Lebron Lazare of Scotts Head collected a prize of $114,389, while Kimberly Joseph of Goodwill received $127,260 from the lottery officials. Ms. James noted that the lottery continues to provide substantial financial rewards to the public through its various progressive gaming options.

CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett recently joined the Ninth Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, held from April 13 to 16 in Santiago, Chile. 

During a panel discussion focused on implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States (ABAS), Dr. Barnett highlighted the diverse ways CARICOM Member States are utilizing regionally designed best practices. 

These efforts include technical cooperation, the establishment of regional training hubs, and collective action regarding climate resilience and disaster response networks, all aimed at fostering economic integration and institutional strengthening within the region. 

Dr. Barnett asserted that creating the right enabling environment is essential for effective South-South cooperation. She emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement on priority areas to ensure a workable program that addresses the most pressing challenges facing the region. 

Furthermore, the Secretary-General noted that resource mobilization must involve securing international funding that specifically acknowledges and addresses the priorities of Small Island Developing States through targeted initiatives

Marigot Parliamentary Representative Anthony Charles has declared his support for the continuation of mining operations at Deux Branches, framing the project as a vital component of Dominica’s national development. 

In a formal statement addressing the ongoing protest, Charles asserted that sourcing aggregate from the site is essential for completing the 
new international airport, a project he believes will revitalize the economy and create significant employment opportunities. 

He defended the initiative by pointing to the constituency’s previous success with mining at Crapaud Hall, noting that progress is possible when it is built on a foundation of landowner consent and fair compensation.