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India, Antigua and Barbuda Review Bilateral Cooperation Ahead of CHOGM

Amid growing diplomatic engagement across the Commonwealth bloc, India and Antigua and Barbuda have convened high-level talks to assess and expand their bilateral cooperation, with key conversations centering on upcoming preparations for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The discussions took place against the backdrop of a working visit by India’s senior diplomatic representative to the Caribbean nation, which centered on the observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga.

Per official statements released by the High Commission of India, which is based in Guyana and covers the Eastern Caribbean region, Acting High Commissioner Manoj Kumar led the Indian delegation during the visit. Over the course of his trip, Kumar held structured meetings with a cross-section of senior Antigua and Barbuda government leaders, spanning the country’s Minister of Education, Commissioner of Sports, and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These meetings allowed both sides to exchange views on priority areas of mutual interest, moving beyond preliminary talks to concrete planning for collaborative action.

Beyond preparations for CHOGM, the two sides delved into deepening long-standing partnerships in two key people-centric areas: sports development and educational exchanges. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in capacity building initiatives, a core pillar of India’s engagement with small island developing states across the Caribbean. The latest round of discussions forms part of a continuous, iterative process of diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and St. John’s, designed to strengthen mutual trust, expand collaborative opportunities, and deepen the overall bilateral diplomatic relationship ahead of the major Commonwealth gathering.

15 7 月, 2026
Power Cuts Again? BEL’s Backup Plan is Controlled Blackouts

Residents across Belize are bracing for potential scheduled power disruptions this summer, as the nation’s main electricity provider prepares contingency measures to stabilize the national grid amid looming supply shortfalls from Mexico.

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) announced this week that controlled, timed power outages will be implemented as a last-resort precaution if Mexico’s state-owned national utility Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE) follows through on its warning of reduced electricity exports to Belize. CFE has notified BEL that growing domestic energy demand across Mexico’s own power network will leave it with less capacity to supply power to neighboring Belize, creating an expected gap in Belize’s available electricity supply starting as early as this month.

To prevent a widespread, unplanned total grid collapse that would leave millions without power for far longer, BEL says controlled rolling load shedding will be carried out between 6:00 p.m. and midnight, when domestic energy demand in Belize peaks. The planned outages are expected to impact residential and commercial areas across six districts: Orange Walk, Corozal, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo.

The looming supply gap comes as BEL works to accelerate long-term efforts to cut Belize’s reliance on imported power. The utility has already opened negotiations with three major independent domestic power producers — BABCO, Belcogen and Santander — to ramp up local generation capacity in the immediate term. For the longer term, BEL is advancing plans to expand grid-connected solar energy generation across the country, which will further reduce dependence on cross-border imports.

In a June 3 interview with local outlet News 5, BEL Executive Chairman Lynn Young outlined the company’s emergency stopgap measure: the deployment of a 20-megawatt temporary generating unit near Mile Eight on the George Price Highway. “We are renting about twenty megawatts of generation that we are putting in place… so that in the event CFE cannot supply, we can meet it,” Young explained in the interview.

Originally, the emergency generation unit was scheduled to arrive in Belize this month. However, global shipping disruptions tied to ongoing international armed conflict have delayed delivery, pushing the expected arrival of the unit to between mid- and late-August. Until the unit is installed and operational, BEL confirms that controlled rolling blackouts will remain the primary contingency to keep the entire national grid stable if CFE cuts export volumes.

15 7 月, 2026
Flood Warning Remains in Effect as Tropical Wave Brings More Heavy Rain

As of July 15, 2026, a continuous flood warning remains active across multiple regions of Belize, as meteorological and emergency authorities prepare for a new round of intense rainfall expected to exacerbate already dangerous flood conditions over the coming two days.

The unstable weather pattern driving this ongoing risk is a passing tropical wave, which has already dumped large volumes of rain across the country. Forecasters confirm that excessive precipitation tied to this system will sustain existing flood conditions throughout central, western and southern swathes of Belize for the next 24 to 48 hours.

The warning specifically targets Regions 9, 11 and 13, with the highest level of concern focused on small communities sited along the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. In these areas, rapid, unpredictable flash flooding remains a major threat to public safety. Emergency management officials have issued a formal advisory urging all local residents to keep close track of updated weather bulletins, avoid unnecessary travel in high-risk zones, and remain prepared to evacuate at short notice if conditions deteriorate.

Hydrology teams across the country are conducting continuous monitoring of river and lagoon levels to track changes in real time. As of the latest update, the Sibun River at Freetown Sibun is still sitting at official flood stage, with water levels only marginally lower than the record levels recorded during Hurricane Mitch, one of the most destructive storms to hit the region in modern history. The Belize River has shown signs of gradual improvement, with water receding at the More Tomorrow and Double Run monitoring points, while Crooked Tree Lagoon remains below normal water levels. Both the Sittee and Temash Rivers are seeing falling water levels, though the Temash River still holds levels well above the seasonal average.

In southern Belize, the Sarstoon River continues to run higher than normal. The Moho River remains above average at the Jordan monitoring station, and is only slightly below normal at Blue Creek South, while Gales Point Lagoon also holds above-average water levels. Most other major water bodies across the country, including the Rio Hondo, Mopan, Macal, Monkey, Deep and Rio Grande rivers, are currently at or below normal seasonal levels. The New River is an exception, with water levels ranging from below to above normal across different stretches of its course, depending on location.

15 7 月, 2026
Antigua and Barbuda Commonwealth Games Association Announces 12-Member Team for Glasgow 2026

The Antigua and Barbuda Commonwealth Games Association has officially unveiled its finalized 12-athlete delegation set to compete at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a multi-sport event scheduled to run from July 23 to August 2 next year in Glasgow, Scotland. This iteration of the Games will feature a condensed program of 10 total sports, with Antigua and Barbuda securing representation across four core athletic disciplines.

Leading the delegation as Chef de Mission is Karen Joseph, with Eric Henry serving as team assistance and welfare officer. Boxer Alston Ryan has been selected to carry the nation’s flag as flag bearer, while rising swimming star Aunjulique Liddie will act as the nation’s baton carrier. Senior leadership of the association, including President Hon. E. P. Chet Greene and General Secretary Cliff Williams, are both confirmed to attend the event to support the team. The full delegation will be on-site in Glasgow for the duration of the Games, from July 22 through August 2, with individual athletes arriving ahead of their scheduled competition start dates to acclimate to the venue and conditions.

Breaking down the squad by discipline, track and field leads with five athletes under the management of Kesswin Anthony. Sprinters Soniya Jones, Geolyna Dowdye, and Dwayne Fleming are set to contest both the 100m and 200m races, while experienced sprinter Cejhae Greene will focus his efforts on the 100m event. Rounding out the athletics contingent is Christopher Johnson, who will compete in the men’s shot put.

The boxing team, managed by Ralston Ryan, fields two competitors: Alston Ryan in the 63.5kg weight class and Zalaan Jan in the 80kg division. Swimming is the second-largest discipline with four athletes, managed by Wayne Mitchell. Jadon Wuilliez will compete in the 50m and 100m breaststroke alongside the 50m freestyle, while Ethan Stubbs-Green has qualified for five events: the 100m and 200m butterfly, 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle. Aunjulique Liddie will race the 50m and 100m freestyle as well as the 50m and 100m butterfly, and Bianca Mitchell completes the swimming squad with entries in the 50m and 100m freestyle. The final discipline, track cycling, is represented by Atiba Quildan, managed by St. Clair Williams, who will compete in the 1000m time trial, sprint, and keirin events.

In an official statement following the announcement of the squad, General Secretary Cliff Williams extended congratulations to all selected athletes and supporting officials. “This talented and dedicated group will proudly wear Antigua and Barbuda’s colours in Glasgow,” he said. “We wish them every success and look forward to strong performances on the international stage.” The association also publicly thanked all athletes, coaching staff, support personnel, and organizational partners for their hard work and commitment in the months leading up to the Games. Additional updates regarding team preparation progress, travel departure details, and adjusted event schedules will be released to the public in the coming weeks.

15 7 月, 2026
Dominica to launch inaugural Gouté Domnik culinary festival this evening

The Caribbean island of Dominica is set to unveil its first-ever celebration of local food culture, the Gouté Domnik culinary festival, with a public kickoff event scheduled for the evening of July 15 in the capital city of Roseau. Hosted at the In De Yard community space on Cork Street, the launch opening at 5:00 p.m. welcomes both local residents and visiting travelers to get an early look at the week-long festival’s full lineup, sample preview bites of local cuisine, enjoy live local performances, and connect with organizers and participating chefs ahead of the main event.

Organized jointly by Dominica’s Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the first iteration of Gouté Domnik will run from July 19 to 26, anchored by the overarching theme “Where Flavour Meets Nature” that ties the island’s famous pristine natural landscapes to its homegrown culinary identity. In a public press statement, event organizers framed the new festival as a strategic response to shifting global travel trends that have positioned culinary tourism as one of the fastest-growing segments of the international tourism industry.

Recent global travel data underscores this shift: research shows 77 percent of international travelers now prioritize food and dining experiences when selecting a travel destination, while Hilton’s 2025 Global Travel Trends Report found that nearly 20 percent of travelers plan entire trips specifically to explore new regional cuisines. For Dominica, a small island nation already known for its eco-tourism offerings, these trends open a new pathway to highlight its unique local ingredients, centuries-old distinctive flavor profiles, and talented local culinary community to the world.

The 2026 inaugural festival centers on two flagship events that cater to both diners and competitive cooking enthusiasts: a week-long Restaurant Week and the one-day Friendly One Pot Challenge. Restaurant Week will run throughout the entire festival, from July 19 to 26, with 18 participating restaurants across the island creating custom, limited-edition menus that highlight local produce and traditional recipes to deliver one-of-a-kind dining experiences for guests. The full list of participating venues includes Calabash Restaurant at Jungle Bay Dominica, Leather Back Restaurant at Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa, Pride de la Dominique, The Pallet, Palisades Restaurant at Fort Young Hotel, Bwa Denn at Secret Bay, Steakhouse Restaurant, Soursop Bar & Grill, Manoe’s Cornerstone Restaurant, Le Petit Paradis, Banana Tree, Nets of Reef, Harbour Bites, Chez Wen, Petit Bistro, The Vibe, Belle Hall, and Hi Rise.

To encourage diners to explore as many local culinary spots as possible, the DDA has introduced the official Gouté Domnik Food Guide. Diners can use the guide to collect an official stamp from each participating restaurant they visit during Restaurant Week. At the end of the promotion, the guest who collects the highest number of valid stamps will win a special prize sponsored by the DDA.

The festival’s second signature event, the Friendly One Pot Challenge, will take place on July 19 in the coastal town of Layou. The competition brings together teams of local cooks to create creative, flavorful one-pot dishes using only ingredients sourced from local Dominican producers, giving teams a chance to showcase their skills and creativity to attendees and judges.

Marva Williams, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tourism for Dominica, emphasized that the new festival does more than celebrate local food: it creates tangible economic opportunities for local restaurants, chefs, small food businesses, and producers across the island. “Food has become an important part of how travellers experience a destination,” Williams explained. “Gouté Domnik gives us an opportunity to celebrate the people, flavours and stories behind Dominican cuisine while creating new opportunities for our restaurants, chefs and local businesses. We invite everyone to join us as we launch this exciting new initiative and celebrate the rich culinary experiences that make Dominica unique.”

Organizers are encouraging all guests planning to take part in Restaurant Week to download the official Gouté Domnik Food Guide ahead of time from the Discover Dominica official website. Additional updates, full event schedules, and behind-the-scenes content are posted to the official Discover Dominica and Dominica Festivities Facebook and Instagram social media pages for anyone seeking more information.

15 7 月, 2026
Still Calypso’s Queen at 86. Calypso Rose Crowned Queen of the Road

On a sunlit July weekend in 2026, decades of Caribbean cultural legacy took center stage at Lincoln Center’s Josie Robertson Plaza, where 86-year-old Calypso Rose, the Trinidad and Tobago-born queen of calypso, received one of the highest honors of her decades-long career: the title Queen of the Road, during the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s (CCCADI) golden anniversary Afri-Carnaval celebration.

More than 42 years have passed since Rose first graced the stage of New York’s Caribbean Carnival in 1984, marking the start of her long-running connection with CCCADI. This weekend’s appearance marked her third collaboration with the organization, following performances in 1984 and 1994 — a full-circle moment that brought decades of cultural history to life for attendees.

Though mobility challenges required Rose to perform from a wheelchair, her legendary commanding voice and magnetic stage presence remained entirely undimmed. She captivated the gathered crowd of thousands, drawing cheers and tears with performances that blended decades of artistic craft with the unyielding joy that has defined her public persona.

Joining her on stage was soca superstar Machel Montano, whose own artistic journey has been intertwined with Rose’s for more than 40 years. Montano first shared a bill with Rose as a 10-year-old rising performer back in 1984; for this anniversary tribute, he joined her for a 15-minute joint set before launching into a crowd-pleasing solo performance of his hit track *Pardy*.

In an interview with local broadcaster CNC3 after accepting her honor, Rose spoke openly about the emotion of the moment, saying: “I feel very great to do that. Because this is something that I have been doing for years. And to know that at this same facility I’ve performed here twice. Twice before, years ago, and now for the third time, I am back to receive an award. I feel very happy and glad to see that they still remember Calypso Rose to come and see her in person at age 86. I am so happy and glad for them. May the good Lord bless them and keep them strong.”

The tribute to Rose was far more than a celebration of one artist’s career: it was a recognition of the enduring impact of her work, which has carried Caribbean cultural traditions across borders and through generations, introducing the sound and spirit of calypso to audiences across the globe. For attendees and fellow artists alike, the moment reaffirmed Rose’s status as not just a musical legend, but an enduring cultural ambassador for the Caribbean.

15 7 月, 2026
Who Should You Believe?

Questions of credibility and power have long lingered at the intersection of storytelling and society: When a young person brings a claim against someone in a position of authority or public influence, whose voice gets prioritized? How do our biases shift when the accuser is a young boy targeting a woman, or a well-regarded young woman calling out a member of the clergy? These provocative, unaddressed questions form the thematic backbone of a new short story anthology, *Believe Me When I Say*, which has officially opened its call for original submissions from writers across all experience and age groups.

Conceived by Antigua and Barbuda-based author Kimolisa Mings, the anthology carries a core mission: to lift up and showcase literary creativity from writers who call the twin-island nation home, while also creating a collection that resonates with global audiences. Unlike many anthologies that lean into simple, black-and-white narratives of guilt and innocence, *Believe Me When I Say* centers the complex, nuanced gray areas that shape how society responds to accusations. All selected stories must revolve around a central accusation, fitting into one of four specific narrative frameworks that challenge conventional assumptions: the accused committed the act and concrete evidence exists; the accused committed the act but no evidence is available; the accused did not commit the act and no evidence exists; or the accused did not commit the act despite the presence of incriminating evidence.

Writers are asked to anchor their work to a core prompt: A young person accuses a person of influence of sexual or power-based exploitation. Submissions must fall between 1,500 and 5,500 words to fit the anthology’s formatting requirements. The submission process carries no entry fee, making the opportunity accessible to emerging and established writers alike. Simultaneous submissions to other publications are permitted, though contributors may not submit the same story to multiple of the anthology’s narrative categories. One key rule restricts the use of generative artificial intelligence in the creation of submitted stories, prioritizing original, human-led storytelling.

For writers whose work is selected for publication, the terms are creator-friendly: authors retain full copyright of their work, and each accepted contributor will receive two complimentary paperback copies of the finished anthology. The collection will be distributed both locally in Antigua and Barbuda and to international audiences, offering participating writers a chance to share their work with a global readership. Organizers frame the project as both an opportunity for publication and a creative challenge: to craft layered, complicated stories that transcend cultural borders and push back against simplistic cultural narratives around power, accusation, and truth.

The submission window will close at 11:59 pm on August 15, 2026. Full submission guidelines, entry forms, and additional details about the anthology are available on the official project website at www.believeme268.carrd.co.

15 7 月, 2026
Chief Election Officer urges eligible voters to complete confirmation as October 15 deadline looms

With just 90 days left to meet the October 15, 2026 cut-off, the nation’s Electoral Office has launched a public call for all eligible electors to finalize their voter confirmation process ahead of schedule, warning of disenfranchisement for those who miss the deadline. The ongoing voter confirmation initiative, which first launched on October 15, 2025, has now entered its final phase, according to an official audio announcement from Chief Election Officer Anthea Joseph.

Joseph emphasized that the verification and approval process for voter status requires a set processing window, meaning any elector who fails to submit and complete their confirmation before the deadline will face automatic removal from the official national voter list. Once removed, individuals will lose their eligibility to cast ballots in both upcoming village council and general elections until they complete a formal status restoration process as outlined in electoral law, a process that can cause unnecessary delays and disenfranchisement.

To complete the mandatory confirmation, most applicants are required to present a valid, government-issued photo identification card and attend their processing appointment accompanied by a registered witness who resides in their assigned polling district. For electors who do not currently hold a valid government-issued ID, the Electoral Office has established an alternative pathway to confirmation: eligible individuals may submit a formal affidavit signed by an authorized official including a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, or Commissioner of Oaths, paired with an up-to-date passport-sized photograph and an official birth certificate.

Looking ahead to the final quarter of the exercise, Joseph noted that the Electoral Office is already preparing for a last-minute surge in applications as the deadline draws near. To help voters plan ahead, she confirmed that the full confirmation process takes roughly 30 minutes to complete, framing the requirement as a critical safeguard for democratic participation and the integrity of electoral processes. As of the latest official update, 20,454 voters have already submitted their confirmation applications, with 19,007 of those requests already approved. Alongside routine confirmation, 1,735 first-time applicants have submitted new voter registration requests, of which 1,489 have been cleared and added to the voter rolls.

15 7 月, 2026
PACT, APAMO Sign Three-Year Agreement to Strengthen Protected Areas

On July 15, 2026, two leading conservation organizations in Belize have reinforced their shared commitment to preserving the country’s ecologically critical protected lands and waters through a new three-year strategic partnership. The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) and the Association of Protected Areas Management Organisations (APAMO) have signed an updated agreement that formalizes their collaborative work to elevate conservation outcomes across Belize’s network of protected spaces.

Under the terms of the new deal, PACT will continue to provide sustained financial backing to APAMO, with a core focus on boosting the latter’s organizational capacity and expanding outreach to the community-based and non-governmental groups that serve as co-managers for the majority of Belize’s protected areas. These local co-managing groups play an indispensable role in on-the-ground conservation, making targeted investment in their operations a key pillar of the new agreement.

The partnership identifies five clear priority areas to guide its work over the next three years. These priorities include enhancing institutional governance structures for collaborative management, upgrading the overall quality of protected areas administration and conservation practices, developing diversified funding streams for long-term conservation work, expanding public education and advocacy campaigns to build broader community support for protection efforts, and securing APAMO’s long-term financial stability as an organization.

In the first year of implementation, the two organizations will prioritize foundational work to set the partnership up for success. Key early activities include strengthening internal governance and daily operations at APAMO, developing a comprehensive sustainable financing strategy for the organization, expanding technical and administrative support services through the APAMO Central Resource Centre, and ramping up public engagement initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of protected areas conservation.

Notably, this new three-year agreement dovetails with a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between APAMO and Belize’s National Biodiversity Office. The alignment of the two agreements creates a unified framework that advances national-scale biodiversity conservation goals and improves the overall effectiveness of Belize’s entire National Protected Areas System, bringing together institutional funding, organizational expertise, and government coordination to protect the country’s unique natural heritage.

15 7 月, 2026
PM Browne and FM Greene to Officially Launch CHOGM 2026 Accreditation Process

Antigua and Barbuda is set to take a major step forward in its preparations for the 28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 this week, with the official launch of the event’s accreditation process scheduled for the Cabinet meeting on July 15, 2026. The launch will be led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, alongside the Honorable E.P. Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration and Chair of the CHOGM 2026 National Task Force.

This launch represents one of the most significant milestones to date in Antigua and Barbuda’s planning for the high-profile summit, which will bring together heads of state, government ministers, official delegates, media representatives and other authorized participants from the 56-member Commonwealth bloc to St. John’s from November 1 to 4, 2026. As a core part of the launch event, the Antigua and Barbuda government will unveil the dedicated official CHOGM 2026 Accreditation Portal, a centralized digital platform built to handle all accreditation applications for the summit and its affiliated side events and meetings.

Designed with user experience and security in mind, the portal is engineered to deliver a streamlined, efficient and highly secure registration process for all eligible participants seeking access to the summit. Prime Minister Browne framed the opening of the accreditation window as a critical turning point in the work to deliver a world-class summit for the Commonwealth community. He emphasized that the Antigua and Barbuda government remains fully committed to upholding the highest international standards of organization across every dimension of the four-day meeting.

Minister Greene, who leads the national task force overseeing all summit preparations, praised the hard work of the dedicated Accreditation Committee for delivering a robust system aligned with global benchmarks. He also highlighted the extensive collaborative efforts between the task force, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and a wide range of domestic stakeholders that went into building the accreditation framework. Notably, Greene extended special recognition to the Independent State of Samoa, the host of 2024 CHOGM, for sharing practical operational guidance and technical expertise that supported the Antigua and Barbuda team in developing a framework tailored to 2026 summit’s unique needs, while integrating widely accepted international best practices.

This cross-nation support, Greene noted, is a powerful demonstration of the longstanding spirit of cooperation that defines the Commonwealth, as well as the tradition of smooth, collaborative transition between successive host countries. All eligible participants will receive detailed guidance on navigating the accreditation process through their home governments, affiliated organizations, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Summit organizers have urged all applicants to complete their accreditation submissions within the established official timelines, to ensure the smooth and timely processing and issuance of official conference credentials.

Across all areas of summit planning, the Antigua and Barbuda government continues to make steady progress on preparations. The country is preparing to welcome the entire Commonwealth family to St. John’s this November, for what organizers expect to be a productive and influential summit held under the official 2026 theme: “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.”

15 7 月, 2026