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Two Dominican youth represent country at CARYFED 2026 forum in Grenada

As regional conversations around youth-led sustainable development gain momentum across the Caribbean, two young Dominicans are stepping onto the international stage to represent their island nation at the 2026 Caribbean Youth Forum for Environment and Development (CARYFED), hosted in Grenada from July 14 to 24. The delegation is backed by Project Discovery Dominica, a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing a new cohort of environmentally conscious and community-focused leaders, marking the latest milestone in the group’s rapid growth since its official launch just two years ago.

The partnership between Project Discovery Dominica and CARYFED stretches back years, laying the groundwork for the organization’s current work. In 2023, three young Dominican participants attended the CARYFED gathering in Trinidad and Tobago, where they gained hands-on leadership training and deepened their understanding of cross-regional sustainable development challenges and youth engagement strategies. That transformative experience inspired a group of local young leaders to formally establish Project Discovery Dominica in 2024 as a national platform for youth empowerment centered on environmental stewardship. Later that same year, Dominica itself hosted the annual CARYFED forum, welcoming hundreds of youth delegates from across the Caribbean and cementing the country’s reputation as a committed supporter of youth leadership in the climate and environmental space.

This year, 19-year-old students Geyoudena Desir and Reece Lantan, both attendees of Dominica Grammar School, have been selected to carry the island’s flag at the Grenada forum. For Desir, who currently serves as Project Discovery Dominica’s Communications Officer, the opportunity is a full-circle moment: she attended the 2024 CARYFED forum on her home island, the same event that launched the organization she now helps lead. “My first CARYFED Forum was held in Dominica, and it was an incredible experience. It was also the year Project Discovery Dominica was launched,” Desir shared ahead of the trip. “Although I was unable to attend last year’s forum, I am thrilled to participate in this year’s CARYFED Forum in Grenada. This is my first visit to the island, and I look forward to fully immersing myself in the experience. CARYFED has consistently created meaningful opportunities for young people across the region. As a representative of Project Discovery Dominica, I hope to use the knowledge, experience, and networks I gain to strengthen our chapter and share those opportunities with youth throughout Dominica.”

For first-time delegate Lantan, the forum represents a chance to grow as a leader and encourage more of his peers to engage with environmental action. “I expect CARYFED to be both an interesting and enjoyable experience, and I am looking forward to learning and growing throughout the forum,” he said. “I would encourage other young people to get involved in opportunities like this. I hope to return with a new perspective that will help create a better future and inspire other young people to enjoy the same life-changing experience.”

Upon their return to Dominica, the pair are tasked with a key mission: to revitalize Project Discovery Dominica by recruiting new young members, designing accessible local environmental programs, and motivating more youth to step into leadership roles in their schools and hometown communities. Organization chairperson Beverly Leblanc emphasized that investing in these young delegates is equivalent to investing in Dominica’s long-term future. “Our investment in young people is an investment in the future of Dominica. We are incredibly proud of our delegates as they represent our country and Project Discovery Dominica on the regional stage,” Leblanc said in a formal press statement. “Their participation is not only an opportunity for personal growth but also a chance to bring back fresh ideas, strengthen youth leadership, and help shape the next chapter of Project Discovery Dominica. We are excited about the energy, innovation, and vision they will bring as we work together to expand opportunities for young people across the island.”

To date, Project Discovery Dominica remains focused on its core mission: creating accessible opportunities that build leadership capacity, foster a culture of volunteerism, embed environmental responsibility, and encourage active youth citizenship. The organization works to equip young Dominicans with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and cross-regional professional networks they need to become effective advocates for sustainable development across the island. As Desir and Lantan prepare to engage with hundreds of regional youth leaders in Grenada, the organization extended its well wishes for a productive and transformative forum, highlighting the critical role this participation plays in advancing both local and regional environmental goals.

19 7 月, 2026
DASPA pays tribute to Otis Francis following fatal Woodbridge Bay Port accident

A devastating workplace accident at Dominica’s Woodbridge Bay Port has claimed the life of a long-serving port employee, leaving the local maritime community in mourning. Forty-seven-year-old Otis Francis, a resident of Tarish Pit, suffered fatal injuries in the incident shortly after midnight on Friday, July 17, while he was part of a crew unloading cargo from a berthed vessel at the facility.

Preliminary law enforcement accounts confirm a shipping container fell onto Francis during the unloading operation. First responders pronounced him dead at the accident scene immediately after the incident, and the Dominica Police Force has launched a full formal investigation to document the exact circumstances that led to the fatal event and identify any contributing safety gaps.

Francis had built an eight-year career as a stevedore with the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority (DASPA), the government body that manages the island’s key sea and air port infrastructure. In an official public statement released after the accident, DASPA’s Board of Directors, senior management, and all staff joined to pay tribute to Francis’s legacy at the port.

The statement highlighted that Francis consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, unwavering commitment, and a rigorous work ethic throughout his tenure. These traits, the authority noted, earned him widespread respect and sincere appreciation from colleagues, industry partners, and every stakeholder he interacted with during his years of service. His contributions to smooth port operations and the growth of Dominica’s maritime community will not be forgotten, the statement added.

“While no words can truly ease the pain of such a sudden and great loss, we hope the Francis family will find strength in the love and support of those around them and comfort in the cherished memories of his life and legacy,” the statement read. DASPA extended its deepest heartfelt condolences to Francis’s immediate family, extended relatives, close friends, and fellow port employees, joining the entire community in mourning and praying for peace and comfort for all those affected by the tragedy. May Otis Francis rest in eternal peace.

19 7 月, 2026
TMF Beach 2026 draws massive crowd for opening day

The much-anticipated 2026 edition of the Tipsy Music Festival (TMF) Beach launched with a burst of energy on Saturday, drawing hundreds of excited music fans to the Copacabana Beach Club along Bay Street in St. Michael for the first day of the two-day coastal celebration. The sun-soaked beachfront venue filled rapidly as attendees clad in vibrant beachwear and swimwear turned the space into a nonstop party, with infectious rhythms, group dancing, and interactive entertainment keeping the atmosphere electric from the early afternoon through the entire evening.

Originally scheduled to run from noon to 8 p.m., the festival kicked off with a series of high-octane DJ sets that grabbed the crowd’s attention from the very first beat. Renowned selectors Sheldon Papp, Jus Jay, and Noah Powa rotated behind the mixing decks, blending an infectious mix of soca, dancehall, and beloved party anthems that kept attendees moving and grooving in the sand long before the first live performer took the stage around 7 p.m.

Emerging artist Doejay opened the live segment of the evening, earning a roaring response from the crowd with performances of his breakout hits “Good Better Best” and “2 Bad”. Fans sang every word back to him throughout his set, prompting DJ Jus Jay to invite the rising star back for an encore performance of his brand-new soca release, “Bartender”.

The momentum only built from there, as fast-growing local favorite Lastacia took the stage and turned the entire crowd into a massive unified choir, with hundreds of voices singing every lyric to her chart-topping hit “Active”. Backed by two dynamic backup dancers, Lastacia’s high-energy choreography amplified the crowd’s excitement and pushed the energy level even higher.

One of the most memorable moments of the opening night came when Jagwa De Champ – introduced by Jus Jay as “the DJ known for bashment” – stepped into the spotlight. The crowd erupted into cheers before he even sang a single note, chanting the lyrics to his hit track in unison. His performance of fan favorite “Ching Ching” quickly became one of the evening’s biggest highlights, with the accompanying viral dance challenge drawing widespread, enthusiastic participation from fans across the venue. Jagwa further ramped up the fun by inviting multiple attendees on stage to dance alongside him, where they showed off both freestyle moves and choreographed routines to the delight of the entire crowd.

Beloved staples Leadpipe & Saddis kept the energy sky-high with a set packed full of their most popular hits, keeping the entire crowd singing from their first song to their last. Saddis also treated the audience to a preview of his entry for the prestigious Sweet Soca competition, “Skyfall”, which earned a warm, enthusiastic reception from the assembled fans.

Closing out the opening night’s live performances was Jordan English, who delivered a crowd-pleasing set featuring many of his best-known tracks, including his viral breakout hit “Weatherman”. His high-energy performance brought the first day’s stage programming to a rousing, memorable conclusion.

Throughout the entire evening, festivalgoers could be spotted waving their branded yellow Tipsy cups, dancing in groups, capturing clips of their favorite performances, and singing along with every act that took the stage. The area surrounding the stage stayed packed from start to finish, as attendees embraced the youthful, high-octane vibe that has become the signature of the TMF Beach event.

With a carefully curated lineup that balances established, beloved artists and exciting emerging talent, TMF Beach 2026 delivered a standout opening night that has built massive anticipation for the festival’s second and final event: the highly anticipated TMF All-White Party, scheduled to take place Sunday, July 19, at the National Botanical Gardens, running from 3 p.m. through midnight. The Tipsy Music Festival is organized annually by Twisted Entertainment.

19 7 月, 2026
DOMLEC: Geothermal energy helps cut July fuel surcharge to 33 cents

Dominica’s primary electricity provider, Dominica Electricity Services Ltd (DOMLEC), has announced that its July 2026 fuel surcharge will be set at 33 cents per kilowatt-hour, a reduction made possible by the rapid scaling of geothermal energy integration into the island’s national power grid, according to the company’s Public Relations Officer Ayeola George.

In an official statement released to the public, George outlined the sharp, steady growth of geothermal energy’s share in Dominica’s renewable generation mix over the first half of 2026. Back in March, geothermal contributed just 6 percent of the country’s total renewable power output. By April, that share had jumped nearly four and a half times to 26 percent. When combined with the existing hydroelectric power capacity, total renewable energy penetration across the national grid reached 51 percent that month.

This upward trajectory continued through the spring, George confirmed, with total renewable penetration climbing to 58 percent in May. By the end of June, the milestone figure of 68 percent was reached, marking renewables as the dominant source of electricity generation for the island nation.

This shift away from fossil fuel-dependent generation has delivered immediate tangible benefits for both DOMLEC and its customers, George explained. As renewable energy output grows month over month, the country’s reliance on diesel for power generation has fallen dramatically. From January’s consumption level of 373,000 gallons of diesel, the monthly usage dropped by almost half to just 194,000 gallons by June 2026.

While DOMLEC has no ability to influence global or regional diesel pricing, the reduced reliance on the fossil fuel has drastically cut its impact on overall electricity generation costs. “The cost-benefit of expanding geothermal energy is significant — not just for DOMLEC as a company, but for every single one of our customers,” George emphasized.

Without the integration of geothermal capacity into the grid, George noted, the July 2026 fuel surcharge would be nearly double the current rate, coming in at 63 cents per kilowatt-hour instead of the 33 cents that customers will see on their upcoming bills. “This is the true, tangible impact of investing in geothermal,” she said.

George also acknowledged that customers experienced a number of power outages across June, but highlighted that even with those operational challenges, DOMLEC still achieved the landmark 68 percent renewable penetration rate. She thanked the Dominican public for their patience and understanding as the company and its partner organizations continue the ongoing work of integrating more renewable energy resources into the national grid.

The achievement of 68 percent renewable penetration through geothermal and hydro power is being hailed as a major milestone for Dominica’s energy transition, positioning the island as a growing leader in Caribbean renewable energy adoption.

19 7 月, 2026
Multiple dead, others injured after West Coast boat collision

A devastating head-on collision between two vessels in the early hours off the western coast of the Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia has left at least three people dead, multiple others injured, and one unaccounted for, local emergency sources have confirmed. The tragic incident unfolded around midnight in the coastal waters between the Soufrière and Canaries districts, when a southbound boat and a northbound vessel crashed directly into one another. Multiple passengers on the two craft sustained life-altering injuries, ranging from compound fractures of the arms and legs to other severe traumatic conditions requiring urgent medical intervention. Local outlet St. Lucia Times conducted an interview with a first responder who took part in the immediate rescue operation, recalling the chaotic, high-stakes effort to pull survivors from the collision site. The rescuer detailed that many passengers who survived the impact were found clinging to fragmented pieces of wreckage amid open water before rescue teams could reach them. All recovered survivors were eventually brought to a nearby beach to receive on-site first aid before being transferred to local medical facilities for further care. As of press time, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force has not yet published any official statement confirming details of the collision, including the identities of those involved or the root cause of the crash. Investigations into the incident are still in their early stages, with authorities yet to begin public disclosure of preliminary findings.

19 7 月, 2026
UPDATE: Guyanese National Fatally Shot in Potters Village

On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Potters Village, Antigua, a brazen fatal shooting has left a small community reeling from violence, after a Guyanese national identified only as Leyandrew was killed in what law enforcement officials suspect was a pre-planned targeted attack.

Local residents told reporters they first heard the crack of multiple gunshots ring out through the neighborhood before they stumbled on the victim at the scene. According to witness accounts, the entire attack unfolded in mere seconds, catching nearby residents off guard and leaving widespread fear and unease across the tight-knit community. Initial early reporting had labeled the killing an apparent drive-by shooting, with witnesses counting at least four separate shots fired before the gunmen fled.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, responding police officers moved quickly to secure and cordon off the crime scene, launching a formal criminal investigation into the homicide. Investigating teams have outlined their next steps, which include door-to-door interviews with local residents who may have seen or heard details related to the attack, as well as a full review of all available evidence – most notably nearby surveillance footage that could capture critical clues about the attackers and their escape.

As of the latest update, law enforcement has not identified a clear motive for the killing, and no suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the shooting. This fatal incident marks the latest homicide to impact Antigua and Barbuda, a nation that continues to grapple with rising gun violence as investigators and policymakers work to curb the spread of illegal weapons and violent crime across the twin islands.

Outlets covering the developing story have extended their sincere condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones, who are now grappling with the sudden loss of Leyandrew. This remains an active, developing investigation, and new details will be released to the public as they become available to authorities.

19 7 月, 2026
Ferry carrying 116 people capsizes off Guyana; at least 53 rescued

In an emergency unfolding off the North Atlantic coast of Guyana, a passenger ferry carrying 116 passengers and crew members has capsized, with 53 people pulled from the water as of Sunday, local authorities confirmed in official statements.

The vessel, identified as the MV Barima, was traveling north from Guyana’s capital city of Georgetown to its destination of Port Kaituma when the incident occurred, according to Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is personally overseeing the government’s emergency response to the disaster.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill shared details of the response via his official Facebook page, noting that local emergency operations centers received an initial distress signal from the vessel at 11:01 p.m. local time. The call immediately triggered a large-scale multi-party search and rescue operation, with both government-operated and private watercraft deployed to the incident zone to assist with recovery efforts.

The capsizing took place in waters close to the mouth of the Pomeroon River, according to official mapping of the incident location. As of Sunday afternoon, full details of the ongoing search operation remained undisclosed, and officials have not yet confirmed whether there have been any fatalities among the people who remain missing. Despite the uncertainty, Guyanese officials have publicly stated that they hold hope for rescuing more of the missing passengers in the coming hours.

Edghill also confirmed that the MV Barima was outfitted with required safety equipment ahead of its voyage: the vessel carried 250 life jackets, two rigid life rafts, and an additional six inflatable life rafts for emergency use.

19 7 月, 2026
Derde helft WK 2026: Spanje en Argentinië strijden in historische WK-finale

The global football community is holding its breath on Sunday, as the 2026 FIFA World Cup final kicks off at the open-air MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, pitting European powerhouse Spain against defending champion Argentina in a battle for the sport’s most coveted prize and a permanent place in World Cup history.

This historic matchup marks only the second time the two nations have faced each other at a World Cup. Their first encounter came in the group stage of the 1966 tournament, where Argentina secured a 2-1 victory. In the decades since, however, Spain has turned the tide in head-to-head matchups, claiming three wins from four meetings since 2000, setting the stage for a tense rematch of unbalanced legacy.

For Argentina, the final is framed around 36-year-old captain Lionel Messi, widely expected to make his final World Cup appearance in the match. On the eve of the showdown, the global icon shared an emotional reflection on social media to his teammates, coaching staff, and fans, emphasizing that the value of his team’s journey extends far beyond silverware. “The best part of all these years was never just the trophies, it was the entire journey,” Messi wrote. “Sharing daily life with this group, fighting together, lifting each other up through hard times, and cherishing every single moment.”

Standing across the pitch from the game’s greatest modern player is 16-year-old Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal, the breakout star of the tournament and the face of football’s next generation. A viral photo of Yamal posing alongside Messi ahead of the final has become a symbol of the sport’s ongoing changing of the guard, as the sport’s future looks to claim the spotlight from its legendary past.

Organizers have been relieved by a last-minute shift in local conditions: the New Jersey region has been affected by hazardous wildfire smoke drifting from Canadian blazes in recent weeks, which triggered public health warnings. But an incoming cold front is forecast to improve air quality in time for kickoff, clearing the way for a capacity crowd of more than 80,000 fans inside the stadium, with an additional 50,000 expected to gather for a public viewing event in Manhattan’s Central Park.

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has been named to lead the final, making history as the first Slovenian official to officiate a World Cup title match. Vincic brings a seasoned resume to the role, having already overseen the 2024 UEFA Champions League final. His appointment draws attention because for the second consecutive World Cup final against a European opponent, defending champion Argentina will be led by a European referee.

The selection comes after controversy surrounding officiating calls in Argentina’s earlier matches in the tournament, with critics highlighting disputed moments including an incident where Messi avoided a red card for a rough challenge. FIFA’s head of refereeing, Pierluigi Collina, has defended the officiating team and stressed the integrity of all tournament officials.

Through three matches at the 2026 tournament, Vincic has issued seven yellow cards, one red card, and awarded no penalties. When informed of his appointment, he called the moment a life-changing honor: “First I was shocked, then incredibly happy. I was shaking with pride. To referee a World Cup final is an incredible honor, it’s everyone’s dream.” He will be assisted by fellow Slovenian officials Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, with Germany’s Bastian Dankert serving as head VAR and Colombia’s Nicolas Gallo leading the video operations room.

The 2026 tournament’s expanded 48-team format delivered no shortage of underdog surprises, with underrated sides including Cape Verde, DR Congo and Curaçao pulling off unlikely runs that won them legions of new global fans. Cape Verde, in particular, emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest revelations, forcing Argentina to extra time in a tense round of 16 matchup that pushed the eventual finalists to their limit. Despite the upsets, the tournament’s pre-tournament favorites – Argentina, Spain, France and England – all advanced to the semi-final stage, setting up a dramatic final between the world’s top-ranked sides.

The race for the Golden Boot remains one of the tournament’s most hotly contested subplots, with a star-studded leaderboard including Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Mbappé enters the final with a 10-goal lead in the tournament, having already broken the all-time World Cup scoring record with 22 total career goals, just one ahead of Messi who has eight goals in this tournament and 21 total across his World Cup career.

Beyond on-pitch action, the 2026 tournament sparked widespread debate over several key issues. VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology was a constant point of contention, with disallowed goals and controversial decisions drawing criticism from multiple coaches, including the managers of Egypt and Croatia, who argued overtechnology was undermining the flow and joy of the game. Ticket prices also drew controversy, with extremely high face-value costs spurring a lucrative unregulated resale market, though all stadiums still recorded sellout crowds throughout the tournament, driven by global fan enthusiasm and U.S. host hospitality.

The tournament also intersected with global politics: Iran’s participation drew international attention amid ongoing conflict and tensions in the Middle East, with visa issues and travel restrictions creating off-pitch disruption for the team before kickoff. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s role in the tournament, particularly surrounding disciplinary matters, also came under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly expressed his support for Argentina, after the Argentine ambassador to Israel presented him with a custom national team jersey ahead of the final. Netanyahu also noted he enjoys an excellent working relationship with Argentine President Javier Milei.

All the build-up has led to this final, which promises to be a historic clash that brings together the experience of an established defending champion and the hungry creativity of a young, dynamic challenger. Blending decades of historic rivalry, once-in-a-generation personal stories, and the climax of the most expanded World Cup in history, the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey is all but guaranteed to deliver unforgettable moments for football fans across the globe. As the kickoff approaches, the entire world waits to see which side will etch its name forever into the history books of the beautiful game.

19 7 月, 2026
Creative Industries Minister Praises Success of ECAB Teenage Pageant

The ECAB 2026 Mr. and Miss Teenage Pageant, one of Antigua and Barbuda’s most anticipated youth-focused entertainment events, has earned high praise from the nation’s Creative Industries Minister Dwayne George, who celebrated the production as a standout tribute to the talent, self-assurance and untapped potential of the country’s younger generation. In comments following the conclusion of the pageant, George commended organizers for delivering a polished experience that balanced professional production values with broad audience appeal, noting that every segment of the event flowed seamlessly from its opening moments to the final announcement of results.
Beyond recognizing the work of production teams, George extended warm, sincere congratulations to every young contestant who took the stage, highlighting the poise and high standard of performance each participant brought to the competition. “Each of you stepped onto this stage with grace and skill, and you have made the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda proud,” the minister stated, emphasizing that the pageant provided a meaningful platform for young people to grow and showcase their abilities.
George also took the opportunity to thank the full network of contributors that made the event possible, including the Antigua and Barbuda Festival Commission, national government bodies, corporate sponsors, community partners, volunteer organizers, competition judges, the full production crew and every other stakeholder invested in the pageant’s success. “It was clear from every small detail of the event how much hard work, dedication and passion every person involved poured into making this happen,” George said.
Looking ahead to the nation’s future, the minister framed the contestants as emerging leaders and young ambassadors for Antigua and Barbuda. Through their demonstrated talent and clear potential, he argued, these young people continue to inspire communities across the country, offering a powerful reminder that Antigua and Barbuda’s future remains bright and full of possibility.

19 7 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda’s First Fertility Clinic to Open in September

For years, people struggling with infertility across Antigua and Barbuda have faced the financial and emotional burden of traveling abroad to access specialized reproductive care. That is set to change this fall, as the country’s first dedicated fertility clinic moves into its final stages of preparation, with the first patient treatments scheduled to begin as early as September.

The new clinic will be housed within the recently opened Doctors Medical Centre in St. John’s, a facility that already delivers a broad range of general and specialized medical services to local communities. According to the clinic’s co-founder, Dr. Sir Joseph John, all required specialized medical equipment has already been ordered and is currently en route to the twin-island nation, putting the project on track for its planned launch.

The landmark initiative is the product of a cross-border collaboration between local medical professionals and a globally experienced fertility leader. The partnership brings together Dr. Sir Joseph John, Dr. Mansoor, Dr. Yemi, and a Nigerian fertility specialist who has already built and operates multiple high-success fertility clinics in Lagos. What makes this collaboration unique is its connection to Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme: the specialist and her husband gained citizenship through the program, and after establishing their roots in the country, her representative reached out to Dr. John to explore launching a local clinic.

“She is a fertility expert with a number of these very successful fertility clinics in Lagos,” Dr. John shared in an interview with ABS News. “She wanted to do something here, and her agent got in touch with me, and we put this together.”

When it opens, the clinic will offer comprehensive end-to-end fertility care, headlined by in vitro fertilization (IVF) — one of the most common and effective assisted reproductive technologies for people facing fertility challenges. Prior to this launch, accessible local fertility care did not exist in Antigua and Barbuda, and the few available options in the broader Caribbean region were limited to clinics in neighboring Barbados and Trinidad. Dr. John emphasized that the new clinic will eliminate the need for local patients to make costly, stressful trips overseas to get the care they need.

“No longer will folks have to travel to Barbados or anywhere to have their fertility experience or care,” he said. “It will be given from A to Z here.” Healthcare leaders across the country expect the clinic will not only improve reproductive health outcomes for local residents but also position Antigua and Barbuda as a growing hub for accessible specialized medical care across the Eastern Caribbean.

19 7 月, 2026