For years, Eastern Caribbean governments have operated Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, which grant citizenship to foreign applicants in exchange for substantial financial investment. As international scrutiny of these schemes has grown over the past decade, regional authorities have repeatedly defended their protocols, emphasizing that rigorous background checks and globally recognized due diligence frameworks effectively block high-risk and criminal applicants from securing citizenship. But a new peer-reviewed academic study published in the *Global Crime* journal, titled *Passports, Transactions and Trust: Middle Eastern Financial Executives on Money Laundering Risks in Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Schemes*, calls these official assurances into question, based on firsthand testimony from senior international banking leaders.
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Mira Millions Update: Briceño Says PUP Government Is Not In Crisis
On July 1, 2026, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño pushed back firmly against public claims that his People’s United Party (PUP) administration is facing a governing crisis, following a high-stakes development in the ongoing Mira Millions corruption investigation: Defence Minister Florencio Marin Jr has formally requested a 90-day leave of absence from his post.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday morning, Briceño rejected the framing of the unfolding scandal as a catastrophic threat to his government, pointing to the stability of his parliamentary bloc. “No, it’s not creating a crisis. Remember, it’s 26 of us,” he told media outlets, emphasizing that the majority of his party remains unified despite the ongoing probe.
Briceño confirmed that Marin reached out to him personally to request the temporary leave, explaining that the step is intended to eliminate any perception of political interference as the auditor general’s office completes its investigation into suspicious activities at the Ministry of Defence. According to the prime minister, Marin has consistently maintained that he has not engaged in any illegal activity connected to the case, but believes stepping down temporarily is the most responsible choice for both his party and the integrity of the audit process.
“He believes that he didn’t do anything illegal, but he thinks that it would be best for the government, for him, to step back for the next 90 days, then we get a report and then take it from there,” Briceño explained, outlining the path forward once the auditor general issues its final findings.
Marin’s decision to step aside comes after weeks of growing public scrutiny over questionable payments documented in Smart Stream invoices. The records link five siblings of Oscar Mira, the Belmopan Area Representative, to millions of dollars in disbursements from the Ministry of Defence, prompting the launch of the official independent audit. Since the details of the payments emerged, multiple senior government officials connected to the case — including Mira himself, Minister Andre Perez, and Marin — have declined to address the allegations directly, instead deferring all questions to the ongoing audit process.
Prior to Marin’s leave request, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight had already publicly outlined the formal payment approval structure used by the Ministry of Defence, breaking down the multi-step process: a junior clerk first prepares invoices for payment, a designated financial officer then approves the disbursement, and a senior accounting officer conducts a final review and authorizes the transaction before payment is issued.
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SOCU Chief denies being detained in US
In a public statement issued Wednesday from his current location in the United States, the senior head of Guyana’s top organized crime enforcement unit has strongly refuted unsubstantiated social media claims that he was taken into custody and interrogated by U.S. law enforcement officials during a recent entry into the country.
Deputy Police Commissioner Fazil Karimbaksh, who leads the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU), is moving forward with plans to pursue legal action against the individuals responsible for spreading the false allegations across social platforms. Currently on the ground in the U.S., Karimbaksh explained that his lawsuit will aim to compel a court order forcing the originators of the rumors to release any evidence they claim to have supporting the assertion that he was detained upon arrival last week.
Karimbaksh’s role at SOCU centers on leading high-stakes financial crime investigations, work that regularly involves close cross-border coordination with law enforcement partners across the Caribbean, North America and other international jurisdictions. This is not the first time rumors of U.S. law enforcement questioning of senior Guyanese police officials have circulated: the Guyanese government has previously pushed back on and downplayed similar reports naming multiple high-ranking police figures as subjects of U.S. interrogations.
The unconfirmed allegations spread widely across social media earlier this month, prompting Karimbaksh’s first public on-the-record denial of the claims amid growing public attention to the rumor.
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Derde helft WK 2026: Engeland herpakt zich en krijgt heldhaftig Congo alsnog klein
The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage kicked off with a breathtaking clash at Atlanta Stadium that delivered everything fans could have asked for: underdog grit, last-minute drama, and a heart-stopping finish that left supporters on the edge of their seats. Pre-tournament favorites and former world champions England entered their round of 16 tie against DR Congo as heavy favorites on paper, having topped their group to secure their knockout spot. The Congolese side, meanwhile, had scraped into the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams, with most pundits writing them off before the opening whistle.
But football’s greatest magic often lies in upset hopes, and DR Congo made it clear within the opening seven minutes that they had not come to Atlanta just to make up the numbers. Starting at a blistering pace, the African side caught England napping on the break: Chancel Mbemba teed up a clinical finish from Brian Cipenga, who slotted past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to put DR Congo 1-0 up early. The stunned Three Lions side grew increasingly frustrated as the half wore on, with the Congolese defense blocking every attacking threat thrown their way.
England’s first real dangerous chance came in the 14th minute, but DR Congo’s backline held firm to clear the danger. In the 30th minute, Jude Bellingham, one of England’s standout stars of the tournament, fired a powerful effort that DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi pushed away for a corner. Five minutes later, Marcus Rashford thought he had bagged the equalizer, only for former England youth international Aaron Wan-Bissaka to clear the effort off the goal line, preserving DR Congo’s lead going into halftime.
DR Congo even had a golden chance to double their advantage just before the break, when Yoane Wissa found himself unmarked in front of goal from close range. But his effort rattled off the post and bounced wide, letting England off the hook. Just before halftime stoppage time, Harry Kane attempted to win a penalty after going down in the box, but the referee waved away the appeal, correctly judging no foul had been committed. Bellingham then had a close-range header that looked destined for the back of the net, only for Mpasi to pull off a miraculous save to keep his side ahead going into the break.
The second half opened with more of England’s relentless pressure, and more world-class stops from Mpasi. Rashford had a clear chance to level the score just after kickoff, but his shot drifted inches wide of the post. A minute later, Bellingham again had a golden opportunity, but Mpasi pulled off another stunning save to keep DR Congo ahead.
It was not until the 75th minute that England finally broke through DR Congo’s resilient defense. Captain Harry Kane nodded home a cross, with the ball deflecting off Mpasi and bouncing into the net to level the score at 1-1. With just 10 minutes left on the clock, Kane struck again to secure England’s place in the quarter-finals: the striker hit a venomous effort past Mpasi into the top corner of the net, putting England ahead 2-1 with just four minutes left of normal time.
The late double was enough to see England over the line, as they held on through stoppage time to avoid one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Gareth Southgate’s side will now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face tournament hosts Mexico for a spot in the final four.
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Regional Banks Remain Well Capitalized Despite Global Uncertainty
Across global financial markets, ongoing volatility and geopolitical disruptions have cast a shadow of uncertainty over nearly every segment of the banking sector in recent months. Market analysts and regulators have closely monitored smaller regional players, which are often seen as more vulnerable to external shocks than their large systemically important multinational competitors. Despite these widespread concerns, multiple recent industry assessments and regulatory stress tests confirm that regional banks have maintained robust capital positions that meet and in many cases exceed regulatory requirements.
Capital adequacy is a core metric that measures a bank’s ability to absorb unexpected losses, and strong capital buffers are widely recognized as the first line of defense against market downturns. Over the past several years, following the lessons of previous banking crises, most regional institutions have proactively built up their capital reserves, adjusted their lending portfolios to reduce risk exposure, and strengthened their liquidity management practices. These preparatory measures have positioned them well to navigate the current period of global uncertainty, which includes rising interest rate volatility, inflationary pressures, and shifting cross-border capital flows.
Industry leaders note that while regional banks may face headwinds from slowing local lending demand and increased funding costs in some markets, their strong capitalization means they do not face systemic solvency risks. Regulators across major economies have also echoed this assessment, pointing out that the banking system as a whole is far more resilient than it was in previous periods of global stress. Investors and consumers can take confidence from the fact that regional banks, which play a critical role in supporting local small businesses, consumer lending, and community economic development, remain on solid financial footing.
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EIA Clears Way for Pearns Point Luxury Villa, Cites Coastal Risks That Can Be Managed
A newly finalized Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has determined that a proposed multi-million-dollar luxury private villa project at Antigua and Barbuda’s Pearns Point can move forward without causing major long-term damage to local ecosystems or community interests, provided developers adhere to a robust set of engineering and environmental protection requirements.
The 538-page study, commissioned by project owner Ariadine Ltd. and conducted by independent environmental consultancy EcoUrban Planning Ltd., evaluates the feasibility of constructing a three-storey private residence across two parcels of land, Lots 32 and 33, on a 6.69-acre rocky headland overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The approved in-principle project may later add complementary amenities including a spa, separate guest suite, and dedicated pool house. Water supply for the property will draw from local groundwater reserves, supplemented by an on-site reverse osmosis desalination plant, while all wastewater will be treated in an on-site facility and reused for landscape irrigation where regulatory approval is granted.
While the Development Control Authority has already granted preliminary approval for the development, the island’s Department of Environment mandated a full EIA due to the site’s sensitive coastal position, as well as plans for on-site water treatment and desalination infrastructure. The assessment addressed a wide range of stakeholder concerns, from required coastal building setbacks and long-term geological stability to drainage management and ongoing environmental stewardship.
The EIA notes that the headland’s dramatic coastal position is both the project’s primary selling point and its most significant engineering challenge. Geological surveys confirmed that the headland’s underlying volcanic bedrock is generally structurally sound for construction, with no major underground voids detected beneath the proposed villa footprint. However, investigators did find localized weathering, fractured rock formations, and natural cave systems along the site’s cliff edges that require careful excavation practices and mandatory setbacks from the cliff face to prevent instability.
Coastal hazard resilience was a core focus of the assessment. Pearns Point is exposed to high-energy Atlantic and Caribbean wave systems, and recent tropical storms have already accelerated beach erosion and caused periodic flooding on the narrow tombolo that connects the development headland to the Antiguan mainland. Computer climate modeling shows that extreme hurricane-driven storm surges and large wave events could temporarily submerge this low-lying access route, cutting off access to the property even though the villa itself is sited at a sufficiently high elevation to avoid inundation.
Consultants concluded that these natural risks can be mitigated to acceptable levels through targeted climate-resilient design. Key requirements include maintaining mandatory cliff-edge setbacks of 8 to 10 meters, elevating all habitable living spaces to at least 3 meters above mean sea level, building drainage infrastructure engineered to handle 100-year rainfall events, and integrating permeable surfaces, vegetated drainage swales, and natural water management features across the property. The EIA also recommends annual structural inspections of cliff faces, drainage systems, and shoreline conditions, with full updated hazard assessments conducted every 5 to 10 years to account for accelerating climate change and sea-level rise.
Stormwater management emerged as a critical design priority, as natural surface topography on the headland directs runoff toward the tombolo and access road. Without properly designed drainage infrastructure, construction activity could worsen existing localized flooding, accelerate erosion, and increase sediment runoff into adjacent nearshore marine habitats. The assessment requires developers to implement a comprehensive Drainage Master Plan, regrade low-lying areas where necessary, and install engineered drainage networks to safely divert runoff during heavy rain events.
Baseline marine surveys found that nearshore habitats around Pearns Point are currently in generally healthy condition, with extensive seagrass beds dominated by turtle grass, manatee grass, and Halophila stipulacea growing on sandy nearshore substrates. Since the project includes no in-water construction and all treated wastewater will be recycled for irrigation, consultants confirmed that impacts to marine ecosystems will remain negligible as long as erosion controls, wastewater management protocols, and runoff protection measures are strictly maintained throughout construction and operation.
On land, ecological sensitivity within the proposed development footprint was found to be relatively low. The site supports native coastal vegetation, including three isolated button mangrove trees, with observed wildlife consisting primarily of native seabirds and invasive mongooses. To reduce on-site ecological harm, the EIA recommends minimizing unnecessary vegetation clearing, installing preemptive erosion controls, securing all construction waste to prevent it from reaching coastal areas, and using turtle-friendly exterior lighting to avoid disrupting nesting sea turtle behavior.
Temporary construction-related impacts are expected, including increased dust, noise, local traffic, and minor disruptions to neighboring properties and adjacent coastal areas. However, the assessment frames these impacts as localized, short-term, and fully manageable through standard best construction practices, including active dust suppression, phased vegetation clearing, preemptive erosion controls, proper drainage design, and routine third-party environmental inspections.
Long-term operational impacts are projected to be minimal, with the primary ongoing risks tied to regular maintenance of the wastewater treatment system, desalination plant, and drainage infrastructure. The EIA notes these risks can be effectively managed through consistent scheduled maintenance and ongoing compliance with local environmental regulations.
The assessment also addressed public concerns around beach access at Pearns Point. While all beaches in Antigua and Barbuda are legally public, the report acknowledges that historic informal access routes currently cross privately held land within the development area. It clarifies that the Development Control Authority holds formal responsibility for establishing permanent public beach access routes in the area, and any official pathway should balance public access rights with the legal interests of private property owners.
In its final conclusion, the EIA confirms the Ariadine Villa project is compatible with the surrounding coastal environment and can proceed without significant long-term environmental or social harm, provided all recommended protection and resilience measures are fully implemented. In addition to setback and drainage requirements, core recommendations include protecting existing marine habitats, retaining natural vegetation buffers, avoiding coastal engineering works that disrupt natural sediment movement, and integrating climate-resilient design that can withstand increasingly severe storm activity driven by climate change.
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Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Nurses Undergo Medication Safety Refresher Training
Frontline nursing teams at Antigua’s Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre have completed a targeted medication safety refresher training, a new initiative focused on elevating patient care standards through upskilled clinical practice. Designed to reinforce evidence-based best practices that are often overlooked in the fast pace of daily hospital work, the program moved beyond standard rote learning to prioritize hands-on, interactive engagement with the material.
Organizers structured the curriculum around real clinical scenarios that participating nurses have actually encountered in their shifts, creating space for open discussion, problem-solving, and knowledge-sharing among veteran and newer nursing staff alike. This case-based approach allowed attendees to test their understanding of safety protocols, ask targeted questions, and walk through decision-making processes in low-stakes, collaborative settings, rather than relying on passive lectures.
The training was co-developed and led by two internal hospital teams: the facility’s experienced Pharmacy department, which brings on-the-ground expertise in medication dosage, dispensing, and risk mitigation, and a senior Clinical Educator from the hospital’s Learning and Development Unit, who specialized in adult professional education for clinical staff. This cross-department collaboration ensured the training balanced practical, day-to-day clinical needs with established professional development framework.
Hospital administration officials noted that this training is not a one-off event, but part of a sustained, institution-wide commitment to ongoing professional learning for all clinical care staff. The overarching goals of these continuous education efforts are threefold: reducing preventable medication errors, embedding a culture of patient safety across every department, and supporting staff in growing their skills throughout their careers, all to uphold the medical centre’s high standards of clinical care.
In a statement highlighting the importance of this work, the medical centre reaffirmed that continuous upskilling is not optional for safe medication management—every step of the medication process, from ordering to administration, carries implications for patient outcomes. To anchor this commitment, the institution emphasized two core guiding principles: “every dose matters” and “every patient matters”, framing medication safety as a foundational responsibility that touches every patient interaction.
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PAHO launches US$24 million appeal to support health response following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela
In the wake of two devastating back-to-back earthquakes that rocked north-central Venezuela on June 24, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has launched a $24 million emergency fundraising appeal to fund six months of urgent health interventions and early health system recovery in the hardest-hit regions of the country.
The twin tremors, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, left a trail of widespread destruction that ranks among the most severe natural disasters to impact Venezuela in decades. As of official government updates from June 29, the disaster has claimed more than 1,943 lives and left over 10,500 people injured. The quakes struck already vulnerable densely populated urban areas grappling with pre-existing humanitarian crises, leveling or severely damaging hundreds of health facilities along with critical national infrastructure including power grids, water systems, transportation networks, and telecommunications services.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, search and rescue operations are still ongoing, but the public health emergency has entered a new, more complex phase. Local hospitals are already operating drastically over capacity to treat a surge of trauma patients, while critical shortages of essential medications, surgical supplies, laboratory reagents, and life-saving medical equipment have put continuous care delivery at severe risk. Beyond immediate physical injuries, public health risks are projected to escalate rapidly in the coming weeks: damaged health infrastructure, mass population displacement, overcrowded emergency shelters, interrupted routine vaccination campaigns, and compromised water and sanitation systems have drastically increased the likelihood of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable and other communicable diseases. At the same time, the psychological toll of the disaster on affected communities and frontline health workers continues to grow.
The $24 million appeal will allocate funding to six core priority areas over the next six months, designed to address both immediate life-saving needs and long-term health system recovery. These priorities include: delivering emergency trauma, surgical, and critical care to impacted patients; restoring the functional capacity and safety of damaged essential health services; procuring and distributing life-saving essential medications, vaccines, laboratory supplies, and medical equipment; preventing disease outbreaks through enhanced surveillance, expanded vaccination campaigns, laboratory system strengthening, infection prevention and control protocols, water and sanitation interventions, and vector control; expanding access to mental health and psychosocial support to protect the wellbeing of affected populations; and strengthening cross-sector health coordination, emergency management capacity, and the transition from immediate response to early recovery.
The appeal targets direct support for approximately 700,000 residents in the most severely affected municipalities, while also bolstering referral hospitals and regional health services that serve millions more people whose access to routine and emergency care has been disrupted by the disaster.
“While search and rescue efforts continue, the health emergency is entering a new phase,” explained PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “Thousands of injured people require ongoing care, hospitals remain under enormous pressure, and the risk of disease outbreaks is increasing. This appeal will help save lives today while supporting the recovery of essential health services for the months ahead.” Dr. Barbosa further emphasized the critical urgency of the funding, noting, “Investing in health now will not only help save lives but also prevent secondary public health emergencies that could prolong the humanitarian impact of this disaster. We call on governments, development partners, international financial institutions, philanthropic organizations and the private sector to support this appeal and stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela.”
Since the earthquakes struck, PAHO has already mobilized a coordinated on-the-ground response in close partnership with Venezuela’s Ministry of Health, national Civil Protection agencies, United Nations partners, and regional Health Cluster members. The organization activated its full Incident Management System and Regional Response Team immediately after the disaster, deployed specialized emergency response experts to the impacted regions, completed rapid needs assessments of priority hospitals, and coordinated the deployment of international Emergency Medical Teams to reinforce local care capacity. PAHO has also already shipped emergency supplies from its regional Strategic Reserve based in Panama, including trauma care kits, essential medications, and emergency medical equipment, while supporting urgent procurement efforts for additional vaccines, medications, laboratory supplies, and other critical health commodities.
Founded in 1902 as the world’s oldest international public health agency, PAHO works with all countries across the Americas to improve population health and quality of life. It acts as the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Americas and serves as the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System (OAS).
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World Bank Appoints Achim Fock to Lead Caribbean Division
In a key leadership appointment for regional development, the World Bank announced Tuesday that it has selected Achim Fock to serve as the new Division Director for the Caribbean, effective July 1, 2026.
Fock will take the reins of the institution’s full portfolio across the Caribbean region, encompassing all lending operations, technical advisory support, and targeted development initiatives implemented by the global development body. A core part of his new mandate will be steering the World Bank’s strategic partnerships with Caribbean national governments, while also fostering collaboration with local civil society organizations and private sector stakeholders. The overarching goal of this coordinated engagement is to drive forward inclusive, sustainable development that builds long-term economic and climate resilience across the region’s small island and coastal nations.
Bringing to the role over a quarter century of institutional experience with the World Bank, Fock boasts a diverse track record of leadership across multiple emerging market regions globally. His most recent post was Country Manager for Zambia, where he oversaw development programming across Southern Africa. Prior to that role, he held senior operational leadership positions across Southeast Asia, covering Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. He also built his early career as a senior economist, working on development challenges across a broad range of countries in Africa, East Asia, and Eastern Europe.
In his new position, Fock has outlined a clear set of priority focus areas aligned with the Caribbean’s most pressing development needs. Top priorities include supporting local economies to expand inclusive job creation, unlock sustained broad-based economic growth, accelerate the just transition to low-carbon clean energy systems, boost national capacity for disaster risk preparedness and response, deliver climate-resilient infrastructure, and strengthen overall macroeconomic and social resilience to global shocks.
Fock holds impressive academic credentials to back his decades of practical development experience: he earned a PhD in Agricultural Economics, two master’s degrees in Agricultural Science and Agricultural Economics respectively, and a postgraduate diploma focused on European Integration and International Economics.
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St. Kitts and Nevis, Afreximbank Postpone ACTIF 2026 Over Ebola Concerns
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – In a joint announcement that underscores prioritization of global public health safety, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have confirmed the postponement of the 2026 AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF 2026), a decision driven by growing Ebola-related public health concerns across parts of Africa.
Originally slated to convene at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, the fifth annual iteration of the forum was expected to draw hundreds of delegates, cross-border investors, and senior business leaders from African and Caribbean nations, all gathered to strengthen trade ties and unlock new investment opportunities between the two regions. The event plays a key role in connecting small and medium enterprises, connecting regional markets, and fostering long-term economic partnerships between African and Caribbean economies.
In a shared statement distributed to all registered delegates and participating stakeholders, the two organizing bodies confirmed that the forum will not proceed on its originally scheduled timeline. The joint announcement notes that the deferral came after careful review of the most recent guidance from regional, continental, and global public health agencies amid the rapidly evolving outbreak.
“This decision has been taken following the latest updates from regional, continental and international public health authorities regarding the evolving public health situation in some parts of Africa,” the statement read. “Out of caution, and with the health, safety and well-being of delegates, speakers, partners, sponsors and other participants in mind, Afreximbank and the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis have agreed that the deferral of the Forum is the most responsible course of action at this time.”
The decision comes as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to escalate, with official data showing steady increases in both confirmed cases and fatalities. As of June 29, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that DRC health authorities have logged 1,333 confirmed Ebola cases and 399 associated deaths. That figure marks an increase of 26 new confirmed cases and 22 additional deaths compared to the prior reporting window. Currently, 609 confirmed patients are receiving treatment in isolation facilities, according to the ECDC.
To date, 189 patients infected with the Bundibugyo Ebola strain — the variant driving this outbreak — have recovered from the virus. Public health officials also note that 82.7 percent of all identified close contacts of infected patients are under active monitoring in the two most affected provinces: Ituri and North Kivu.
The vast majority of confirmed transmissions are concentrated in Ituri Province, where 1,214 cases and 335 deaths have been recorded across 23 of the province’s 36 health zones. North Kivu has recorded 116 confirmed cases and 63 deaths, while South Kivu has reported three cases including one fatality. Overall, 35 of the DRC’s 104 total health zones are currently impacted by the ongoing outbreak.
Despite the difficult decision to postpone, both Afreximbank and the St. Kitts and Nevis government extended their gratitude to all delegates, sponsors, partner organizations, and stakeholders who invested time and resources into preparing for the 2026 forum. “The decision to defer the Forum was not taken lightly, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause,” the statement added. As of the July 2 announcement, no new date has been set for the rescheduled ACTIF 2026.