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The SLU government is actively addressing employee exploitation and striving to create a fairer job market for Saint Lucian workers by introducing a minimum wage. Prime Minister Pierre and his Cabinet are committed to enhancing the living standards of working-class Saint Lucians. In 2022, Prime Minister Pierre established the Minimum and Equal Wages Commission. This commission, in collaboration with local employers and labor unions, engaged in extensive discussions to propose a suitable minimum wage rate. The proposed minimum wage mandates that employees in Saint Lucia receive at least $1126 per month, $52 per day, or $6.50 per hour. This measure is expected to boost the incomes of approximately 13,000 workers. This new minimum wage is part of a broader strategy to reduce poverty, strengthen the workforce, and ensure a dignified living standard for all citizens. The Minimum and Living Wage Bill, set to take effect on August 1, 2024, is open for public input before its implementation.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Cabrits Marina took place on Saturday, May 25th, 2024. The Cabrits Marina will be built in an area adjacent to the Intercontinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa, with slips for berthing superyachts of up to 150ft. The marina waterfront will feature food and beverage outlets, retail shops, supermarkets, and a craft market. The plan also includes essential administrative and government support services such as a harbour master’s office, and offices for immigration, customs, operations and maintenance. As Dominica reimagines its tourism product to increase access, improve infrastructure and attract greater numbers of visitors, the Cabrits Marina will enhance our appeal to yachting enthusiasts, contribute to sustained growth of the tourism industry and boost the local economy of Portsmouth and the North. Credit OPM

The individual fatally shot during an attempted catalytic converter theft in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday has been identified as actor Johnny Wactor, according to his family. Wactor, 37, portrayed Brando Corbin in 164 episodes of the well-known soap opera General Hospital from 2020 to 2022. He also had roles in shows like Westworld and Criminal Minds. TMZ first reported his death, which was later confirmed to KTLA by Wactor’s younger brother, Grant. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that officers responded to a call at the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Hope Street at approximately 3:25 a.m. on Saturday. They discovered a man with a gunshot wound upon arrival. Authorities stated that the man had confronted three individuals who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle. In response, they shot him. Wactor was taken to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The suspects are still at large, according to the police. No further details have been provided at this time.

McClaude Emmanuel, CEO of the St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit, has assured that Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre will sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) aimed at establishing common standards and regulations for Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs across OECS territories. In March 2024, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis signed the MOA. This agreement mandates that, starting June 1, all territories with CBI programs will cooperate and share information to improve the integrity, security, and efficiency of their programs. St. Lucia did not sign the MOA on March 20. However, on May 23, during a panel discussion on “Resilience: Strengthening the Adaptability and Sustainability of Caribbean Investment Migration” at the 2024 Caribbean Investment Summit, Emmanuel confirmed St. Lucia's intent to sign the non-legally binding agreement but did not specify a date. The summit, held from May 22-24 at the Radisson Conference Centre, gathered over 200 participants. The MOA outlines that the five participating CBI territories will establish a regional competent authority by June 30, 2024, to set standards in line with international requirements and best practices, and to regulate the programs. It also stipulates common standards for the regulation of agents, marketing, and promotions, including prohibiting the marketing of CBI programs for “visa-free access” and the use of passport photographs in advertisements. The agreement is a statement of intent and does not create legal obligations. It can be amended or terminated by unanimous consent of the signatories, and any disputes will be resolved through negotiations.

Dr. Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade, and Energy, emphasized the need for foreign ministers to foster environments that enhance opportunities for collaboration and strategic partnerships. He made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the 27th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) at the State House Conference Center on Thursday. The meeting took place from Thursday, May 23 to Friday, May 24, 2024. Dr. Henderson welcomed the attendees, noting their presence in Dominica as a strong commitment to strengthening regional ties within the Caribbean, with the exception of Haiti. He highlighted that the council will review important engagements with third states and discuss plans for the 2024 CARICOM Friendship Year. Dr. Henderson mentioned that the council would consider geopolitical issues impacting sustainable development, provide updates on associate membership applications from various states, and discuss the implications of expanding observer status. He added that the COFCOR will review significant upcoming international meetings, such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and the future summit, emphasizing the need for coordinated attention and unified positions. As the hurricane season approaches, Dr. Henderson stressed the importance of climate justice and sustainable development in interactions with third states and international organizations. Dr. Henderson highlighted that as Dominica faces increasing debt to build resilience, it remains vigilant against the threat of another hurricane season.

This year is projected to be one of the most active Atlantic hurricane seasons, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicting the development of 17 to 25 tropical storms, and up to 13 of these could become hurricanes of category one or higher. NOAA's Climate Prediction Centre indicated that the increased activity is due to a combination of factors such as near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, the onset of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, weaker Atlantic trade winds, and reduced wind shear, all of which promote tropical storm formation. NOAA anticipates 17 to 25 named storms (with winds of 39 mph or higher). Of these, 8 to 13 are expected to develop into hurricanes (with winds of 74 mph or higher), and 4 to 7 could become major hurricanes (category 3, 4, or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher). The agency has a 70% confidence level in these predictions. NOAA emphasized the importance of preparedness. The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was notably active, tying with the 1933 season for fourth place in terms of activity, with twenty named storms. Seven of these became hurricanes, and three reached major hurricane status. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.

Rapper Sean Kingston was taken into custody during a performance in California, shortly after his mother faced a similar fate in Florida, all related to the purchase of a massive TV, according to a lawyer familiar with the case. The Broward County Sheriff's Office reported that Kingston, 34, was apprehended without incident on a Florida warrant near Fort Irwin, an Army base roughly 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Earlier that day, Broward detectives arrested his 61-year-old mother, Janice Turner, during a raid on Kingston's 14,000-square-foot rented mansion in Southwest Ranches, seizing several items from the property. This unusual case revolves around Kingston's purchase of a 17 x 9 foot TV in September 2023. Lawyer Dennis Card, who has filed a lawsuit against Kingston regarding the $150,000 entertainment set, was present during Turner's arrest. Card alleges that Kingston bought the TV on credit with a minimal down payment, promising the seller, Ver Ver Entertainment, which sells the sets under the brand name Colossal TV, that Justin Bieber would endorse their products.

The National Cooperative Credit Union (NCCU) Ltd has inaugurated its Member Care Centre, a new initiative designed to elevate the quality of member service. The launch event was held on Wednesday. Branch Manager Glenda Smith-Baron expressed her enthusiasm, stating that the day marked a significant milestone in the history of the credit union. She emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that members deserve the highest standard of service. The Member Care Centre aims to provide comprehensive support, ensuring that members’ inquiries are handled promptly and efficiently. She highlighted the goal of creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for members. Smith-Baron assured members of the high level of service they can expect from NCCU’s dedicated team, reaffirming that exceptional member care is central to the organization’s mission. She further explained that member care is integral to the identity of the credit union and discussed the credit union's principle of member economic participation, which underscores that members are the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries. She reiterated that for the credit union, member care is about striving for excellence in every aspect. Additionally, NCCU has introduced the role of a member success advocate, which is central to the new member care initiatives.

The Government of Dominica announces the appointment of Mr. Leroy 'Wadix' Charles as a Cultural Ambassador for the Commonwealth of Dominica. The appointment recognises Mr. Charles’ outstanding contributions to the promotion of Dominica’s cultural art forms and expressions and underscores the Government’s commitment to the preservation of the nation’s cultural heritage. As Cultural Ambassador, Mr. Charles will assist the Government in the development of a Creole Language Policy for Dominica and provide consultancy services on the organisation of national festivals and events including Independence Celebrations, the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF), Carnival, DOMFESTA and Emancipation Day Observance. The new Ambassador will also assist in the promotion of Dominica’s festivals in the French West Indies and encourage cultural and sporting exchanges with these territories. Leroy ‘Wadix’ Charles has championed the preservation of Cadence-lypso and other forms of Creole music since his early days as a member of the Young Cultural Dramatists and Co-Founder of WadiCole. He is a founding member of the World Creole Music Festival and served as chairman of the festival’s band selection committee. He also served on the “Konmité pou Etid Kwéyòl (KEK) and the Board of Directors of the Alliance Française de la Dominique, is the President of the Creole Heartbeat Movement and the host of the long-running creole music programme, Hit Parade Creole, on DBS Radio. Among many accolades for his tireless advocacy, Mr. Charles is the recipient of the prestigious Golden Drum Award and the Meritorious Service Award from the Government of Dominica. In 2023 he was honoured by the Folk Research Center in St. Lucia for promotion and preservation of the Kwéyòl language. The Government of Dominica honours Leroy ‘Wadix’ Charles for his efforts to ensure Dominica’s culture remains vibrant, dynamic, and well-preserved for future generations and looks forward to his continued contributions as Dominica’s newest Cultural Ambassador.

The Commonwealth of Dominica notes with concern the continued inclusion of the Republic of Cuba on the United States State Department State Sponsors of Terrorism list, which identifies governments that actively support violent non-state actors involved in terrorist activities. The Commonwealth of Dominica firmly holds that there is no evidence of state-sponsored terrorism acts being supported by the Government of Cuba and considers this an arbitrary classification intended to justify the decades-long economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States of America. Consequently, Dominica calls for the reversal of this unmerited and unjust listing of Cuba as a state which sponsors terrorism. Dominica further restates its call for the normalizing of relations with Cuba and the lifting of economic sanctions by the United States for the enhanced peace, stability and economic growth of the Cuban nation which has made tremendous contributions to the development and welfare of the Caribbean Region particularly in the areas of health, agriculture and education. The Commonwealth of Dominica stands in solidarity with Cuba in its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including acts that qualify as state-sponsored terrorism.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) successfully concluded its comprehensive Training-of-Trainers (ToT) program on key topics in immigration and border governance from May 15 to 16, 2024. This initiative, held in Roseau, brought together a group of law enforcement officers, aiming to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct effective training sessions, which will be cascaded to a broader audience of government officials across Dominica in the upcoming months. The ToT program focused on creating a pool of competent trainers capable of disseminating critical knowledge on immigration and border governance. The two-day training featured a well-rounded agenda designed to build both foundational and advanced skills. On the first day, participants were introduced to the program's strategic goals, global migration dynamics, diverse learning modalities and effective methodologies for audience engagement. The second day delved into specific topics such as the management of identity and travel documents, regulatory frameworks for migration and strategies for trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, among others. The training also included material on how gender impacts the various policies as it concerns migrants. According to Inspector in charge of immigration, Deryck St. Rose, “This training is important to provide us [immigration] with a better understanding of what to look for when people move from other countries to Dominica.” He expressed the need to be able to be equipped with this knowledge to share it with other officers. Participants like Corporal of Police, Pertrina Dupigny expressed her enthusiasm and the value she gained from the training. “Normally, you would hear of human trafficking, and you think of someone taking somebody from one place to another for illegal purposes. But when you really delve into the whole material, you realize how much more the whole human trafficking and smuggling of migrants involve and the various trials and tribulations that the migrants must go through. It's really touching especially when it when it concerns children,” explained Dupigny. Following the successful completion of the ToT, participants are scheduled to cascade this training to other government officials in the upcoming months. The cascade training will mirror the comprehensive agenda of the ToT, ensuring a consistent and thorough dissemination of knowledge. The IOM's Training-of-Trainers program represents a strategic investment in the professionaldevelopment of Dominica's immigration and customs officers. “By building a cadre of skilled trainers, theprogram aims to strengthen the country's border governance and enhance the capacity of governmentofficials to manage migration effectively,” said IOM Facilitator Vynliz Dailey.

As global temperatures rise, extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and severe. These heatwaves can pose significant health risks, especially to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. To protect yourself and your loved ones during periods of extreme heat, it is crucial to take specific measures. Here are some essential tips to help you stay safe and healthy when temperatures soar: 1. Stay Hydrated Drink Plenty of Water: During extreme heat, your body loses more fluids through sweat. To prevent dehydration, drink water regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, as they can contribute to dehydration. Eat Hydrating Foods: Include fruits and vegetables with high water content in your diet, such as cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and berries. 2. Keep Cool Stay Indoors: Whenever possible, remain indoors during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you need to be outside, seek shade and take frequent breaks. Use Fans and Air Conditioning: Utilize fans and air conditioning to keep indoor spaces cool. If you don't have air conditioning, spend time in public places that do, such as shopping malls, libraries, or community centers. Cool Showers and Baths: Taking cool showers or baths can help lower your body temperature. 3. Dress Appropriately Lightweight, Light-Colored Clothing: Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight. Dark colors absorb heat and can increase body temperature. Wide-Brimmed Hats and Sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses. 4. Avoid Strenuous Activities Limit Physical Exertion: Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities to cooler parts of the day. If you must exercise, do it early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are lower. Pace Yourself: Take frequent breaks in a cool, shaded area if you need to work or exercise outside. 5. Monitor Health Symptoms Watch for Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses: Be aware of symptoms such as heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and muscle cramps, which can indicate heat exhaustion. More severe signs, like a high body temperature, confusion, or unconsciousness, could signify heatstroke, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Regularly check on elderly relatives, neighbors, and others who may be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. 6. Stay Informed Weather Updates: Keep an eye on local weather forecasts and heat advisories. Being aware of upcoming heatwaves can help you prepare in advance. Community Alerts: Sign up for community alerts to receive notifications about cooling centers and other resources available during extreme heat. 7. Create a Cool Environment at Home Block Out the Sun: Use curtains, shades, or blinds to keep direct sunlight from entering your home during the hottest parts of the day. Use Fans Strategically: Position fans to blow air across your body to increase evaporative cooling. Placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan can also help cool the air. Insulate Your Home: Improve your home's insulation to keep the cool air in and hot air out. 8. Be Prepared for Power Outages Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, and a battery-powered fan. Backup Plan: Have a backup plan in case of a power outage, such as staying with friends or family who have air conditioning. By taking these precautions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of extreme heat. Remember, staying cool, hydrated, and informed are key strategies to safely navigate the challenges of rising temperatures.