Caribbean

Energy Minister Dr. Vince Henderson said commissioning of Dominica's geothermal energy plant is in its final stages, with operations expected to begin once testing is completed under the power purchase agreement.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips said technical teams are working to reposition the sunken MV Barima while search-and-recovery operations continue, with 69 of the 73 victims now identified by their families.

The upgraded roadway is expected to improve access for residents, particularly during heavy rainfall, after years of muddy conditions made travel difficult for families, motorists and schoolchildren.

Nearly nine years after Hurricane Maria destroyed the Soufrière Preschool, a new early childhood learning centre has been built through a partnership involving Jungle Bay Resort and Spa, community supporters and the Ministry of Education.

The newly branded aircraft features the national flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on its tail, promoting the country's tourism, culture and regional identity across the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and U.S. Charge d'Affaires Karine Sullivan discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, infrastructure development, disaster resilience and investment opportunities during a high-level meeting in Dominica.

Southwest Airlines flight attendant Lorenzo Thompson, a Jamaican national, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while on duty at Nashville International Airport.

The Coast Guard has launched an active search after three fishermen failed to return from a routine fishing trip.

Contour Airlines will launch direct flights between Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago from October 5, operating four days a week with onward connections to San Juan and St. Thomas.

LIAT Air says it is absorbing much of the recent increase in jet fuel costs to limit fare hikes, while continuing to expand regional routes and improve connectivity across the Caribbean.

The new twice-weekly non-stop service is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, making travel easier for business, tourism and family visits between Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados.

Reports indicate that several Antiguan entertainers, including Soca Monarch Tian Winter, were informed their US visas had been revoked, although neither the US Embassy nor the artists have confirmed the reports.

The Saint Lucian sprint star said the pressure of carrying her nation's expectations caused her to forget her own journey, prompting her to reconnect with the purpose that first drove her into athletics.

The Vieille Case housing project is nearing completion, with 21 hurricane-resilient homes set to be handed over as Dominica continues expanding its climate-resilient housing programme across the island.

Forecasters expect Bertha to move toward the northern Gulf Coast, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and a heightened flood risk, while Caribbean weather officials continue monitoring regional conditions.

The Machico Drive fire is the latest in a series of major blazes reported across Antigua this year, with emergency crews responding to fires at commercial properties, public facilities and heavy equipment.

The captain and at least one crew member of the MV Barima tested positive for narcotics as investigators continue examining possible safety failures behind the ferry disaster.

The revised passenger count, based on surveillance footage, has pushed the confirmed death toll in the MV Barima tragedy to 53.

The cancellations followed severe thunderstorms across the U.S. Northeast, which triggered FAA ground stops and widespread flight disruptions, affecting JetBlue services between New York and St. Kitts.

The three-day symposium will bring together tour guides, taxi operators, vendors and tourism partners to discuss cruise industry trends, customer service and business opportunities ahead of the next cruise season.