French Guiana Joins CARICOM As 8th Associate Member
The territory of French Guiana has officially joined the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as its eighth associate member, marking a major step in the organization’s continued expansion as regional leaders meet in Saint Lucia for the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
The associate membership agreement was signed on Tuesday July 7th 2026, by CARICOM Chairman and Saint Lucian Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and Gabriel Serville, President of the Territorial Collectivity of French Guiana.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Pierre hailed the agreement as a significant milestone for CARICOM, saying it strengthens regional unity and deepens cooperation across the Caribbean.
He described the move as more than a formal agreement, calling it “a meaningful act of regional inclusion” that demonstrates CARICOM’s commitment to building stronger partnerships throughout the region.
Pierre said French Guiana’s membership opens the door for greater collaboration in areas such as regional development, trade and investment, climate resilience, border security, education, healthcare, environmental protection, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
Associate membership allows non-independent Caribbean territories to participate in CARICOM’s programmes and initiatives on issues of shared interest, while not carrying the full rights and responsibilities of the Community’s 15 full member states.
With French Guiana’s admission, CARICOM now has eight associate members, further strengthening its reach and cooperation across the wider Caribbean.
Meta Will Invest in First Artificial Intelligence Data Centre in Canada
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced Wednesday that it will invest more than US$9.1 billion to build its first artificial intelligence data centre in Canada—the company’s largest AI facility outside the United States.
The new data centre will be located in Sturgeon County, Alberta, and will be powered by a dedicated natural gas-fired power plant being developed by a consortium that includes Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Ltd.
Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish, welcomed the announcement, describing the investment as “a big deal for Alberta.” He said the province has introduced a regulatory framework designed to attract major data centre investments.
As demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow worldwide, Alberta has positioned itself as a destination for hyperscale data centres. However, the expansion of AI has also raised concerns about the significant energy and water consumption required to operate these facilities, along with the potential impact on electrical grids and surrounding communities.
To address those challenges, Alberta is prioritizing AI projects that can generate or secure their own power supply, rather than relying solely on the provincial grid. Meta’s planned facility aligns with that strategy by incorporating its own dedicated energy source.
The company also stated that the data centre will feature a closed-loop cooling system, eliminating the need to draw water from nearby natural sources. In addition, Meta has committed US$42 million toward local infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to roads and water systems in the surrounding community.
Team TCI Men's Basketball Team Wins First Game of FIBA Americup Pre-Qualifiers
The FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers are currently taking place from July 8 to July 12, 2026, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown, Guyana.
Ten regional national teams are competing in a round-robin format across two groups, with only the top team from each group advancing to the second round of the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Pre-Qualifiers.
Tournament Groups
* Group A: Antigua & Barbuda, Bermuda, Dominica, Guyana (Host), and Turks and Caicos.
* Group B: Barbados, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Haiti, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The opening round of games took place on Wednesday, July 8th 2026 and produced the following results:
Matchup Final Score
Barbados vs. Cayman Islands (89–54)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines vs. Grenada (85–66)
Antigua and Barbuda vs. Bermuda (82–50)
Turks and Caicos Islands vs. Guyana (68–55)
Player of the Game for Team TCI was Ethan Taylor with 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Let's continue to support Team TCI!
Francine Jackson, Cayman Islands National Hero Passes Away at 97
Francine Jackson, the Cayman Islands’ only living national hero and a pioneering advocate whose campaign helped secure voting and political rights for women, has died at the age of 97.
Jackson died suddenly on Sunday, July 5, her daughter, Joy Basdeo, confirmed. Although she had a heart condition, Basdeo said her mother remained active and engaged in community life until her final days.
Premier André Ebanks led tributes to Jackson, describing her as a devoted public servant whose legacy transformed the Cayman Islands. He ordered flags on all public buildings to be flown at half-staff for three days in her honor.
Jackson was named a national hero in 2025 in recognition of decades of public service and her pivotal role in advancing women’s political rights.
She was among the women who spearheaded the campaign for women’s suffrage in the Cayman Islands. In 1948, she joined a group of women from George Town who petitioned for women to be granted the right to vote, though the request was denied.
Undeterred, Jackson joined three women from Bodden Town in submitting another petition in 1957 calling for women to be allowed to vote and seek elected office. The campaign succeeded, opening the door for women to participate fully in the country’s political life.
Jackson cast her first ballot in the 1959 general election and later stood as a candidate alongside Birdell Jackson, Ethel Cook-Bodden and Laurel Watler. The group, remembered as the “Phenomenal Four,” was unsuccessful at the polls but made history as some of the first women to contest elected office in the Cayman Islands.
Her public service extended well beyond politics. Jackson became the Cayman Islands’ first civil registrar of marriages and later founded Cayman Weddings in West Bay during the 1980s.
Alongside her husband, Vernon Jackson, who died about a decade ago, she officiated nearly 8,000 wedding ceremonies during their careers.
As a national hero, Jackson will receive an official funeral. The Cayman Islands government said funeral arrangements and details of the national period of mourning will be announced at a later date.
3 DAY PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST WEDNESDAY JULY 8TH 2026
PUBLIC FORECAST FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS FROM WEDNESDAY JULY 08TH 2026
GENERAL SITUATION: Broad high pressure ridging and Saharan dust will keep conditions mostly stable across the Turks and Caicos Islands today, with strong easterly trade winds and moderate seas. Shower and thunderstorm chances will increase this evening as a tropical wave approaches the islands.
SPECIAL WARNINGS: A Dust Advisory remain in effect for the Turks & Caicos Islands. Residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, should take the necessary precautions to safeguard their health.
Rip Currents: Swimmers and beachgoers should avoid entering waters, due to the high risk of rip currents and rough surf.
ALL AREAS
WEATHER: Partly sunny and hazy with isolated showers possible through this afternoon. Partly cloudy with a low (10 to 20 percent) chance of isolated showers and isolated thunderstorm tonight.
ADVISORY: A small craft caution is in effect for local waters
WINDS: Easterly at 10 to 20 knots with higher gusts
SEAS: Slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet nearshore, building up to 6 feet offshore
DAYTIME HIGH TEMPERATURE 90°F 32°C
HEAT INDEX 100°F 38°C
OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE 81°F 27°C
SUNSET: 07:35 PM
NEXT HIGH TIDE: 03:42 PM (2.6 FT)
NEXT LOW TIDE: 10:15 PM (1.0 FT)
EXTENDED FORECAST: On Thursday, the tropical wave will move through the area, resulting in some unsettled weather and increasing the chances for severe weather conditions into Friday. High pressure is expected to build across the islands again by the weekend.
THURSDAY: A low (20 to 30 percent) chance of widely scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 90°F (32°C). There is a marginal to slight risk of severe thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT: A low (10 to 20 percent) chance of widely scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 81°F (27°C).
ADVISORY: A small craft caution is in effect for local waters
WINDS: Easterly at 15 to 20 knots with gust up to near-gale force (28-33 knots).
SEAS: Slight to moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet nearshore, building up to 6 to 7 feet offshore
SUNRISE: 06:12 AM
SUNSET: 07:35 PM
HIGH TIDE: 03:57 AM (2.0 FT) 04:46 PM (2.6 FT)
LOW TIDE: 10:04 AM (0.7 FT) 11:25 PM (1.0 FT)
FRIDAY: A low (10 to 20 percent) chance of isolated showers and possibly an isolated thunderstorm in the morning. Partly cloudy, then partly sunny to sunny by the afternoon, with a high near 91°F (33°C)
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly fair, with a low around 79°F (26°C).
ADVISORY: A small craft caution is in effect for local waters
WINDS: Easterly at 15 to 25 knots
SEAS: Slight to moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet nearshore, building up to 6 to 7 feet offshore
SUNRISE: 06:12 AM
SUNSET: 07:35 PM
HIGH TIDE: 05:00 AM (2.0 FT) 05:49 PM (3.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 11:06 AM (0.7 FT)
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 7 days.
FORECASTER: DR. H. HAMILTON
Chicago Bulls Acquire Norman Powell
The Chicago Bulls have strengthened their backcourt by signing veteran shooting guard and Jamaican international Norman Powell to a two-year, US$45 million contract, signaling the franchise’s intent to become a more serious contender in the Eastern Conference.
League sources confirmed the agreement on Thursday. The deal includes a team option for the second year and brings an experienced scorer, respected veteran, and NBA champion to a Bulls team looking to improve its offensive production and postseason prospects.
Powell joins Chicago after enjoying the best season of his NBA career with the Miami Heat. The 33-year-old earned his first NBA All-Star selection after averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the league’s most efficient and reliable offensive guards.
His breakout campaign convinced the Bulls’ front office that he could provide the perimeter scoring, leadership, and experience the team has been seeking.
While Powell’s offensive game has reached another level in recent years, his reputation as a winner was built long before his All-Star season.
After a standout collegiate career at UCLA, Powell began his NBA journey with the Toronto Raptors, where he spent more than five seasons developing into a key contributor.
His biggest accomplishment came in 2019 when he helped the Raptors secure the first NBA championship in franchise history, adding a championship ring to a résumé that now also includes an All-Star appearance.
The Bulls believe Powell’s arrival addresses one of the roster’s most significant needs. Renowned for his three-level scoring ability, attacking the rim, and delivering in pressure moments, he is expected to add both offensive consistency and veteran leadership to a team determined to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
US Airline Fuel Bill Exceeds $6 Billion Dollars for Second Consecutive Month
U.S. airlines spent $6.66 billion dollars on jet fuel in May 2026, marking the second consecutive month that fuel costs exceeded $6 billion, according to data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
That total was up 84% from May 2025.
Airlines spent $6.47 billion on fuel in April 2026, the agency said.
The sharp increase in spending was driven largely by higher fuel prices rather than increased consumption. U.S. carriers used 1.627 billion gallons of jet fuel in May, down 0.6% from a year earlier. Fuel consumption in April also edged lower compared with the same month in 2025.
Airlines paid an average of $4.09 per gallon for jet fuel in May, slightly below April’s average of $4.11 but 85% higher than the $2.21 per gallon paid a year earlier.
The surge in fuel costs has prompted airlines worldwide to raise fares, increase ancillary fees and reduce flight schedules. Fuel remains one of the industry’s largest operating expenses, making carriers especially sensitive to fluctuations in energy prices.
The higher prices followed disruptions to global oil markets after conflict in the Middle East earlier this year affected shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for crude oil and refined fuel exports.
Jet fuel prices have retreated from their spring peak following an interim ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, easing some pressure on airline operating costs. However, the agreement remains uncertain.
On Tuesday, the British military reported that three commercial tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States revoked a license that had permitted certain Iranian oil sales under the ceasefire arrangement.
Jet fuel averaged $2.88 a gallon Tuesday across the major airline hubs of Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and New York, according to the Argus U.S. Jet Fuel Index.
Prices have remained below $3 a gallon since June 15th, the first time they fell beneath that level since early March.
Norway Eliminates 5 Time World Cup Champions Brazil
Norway stunned Brazil with two late goals from Erling Haaland on Sunday, eliminating the five-time World Cup champions with a dramatic 2–1 victory in the Round of 16.
The win sends Norway to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the nation’s history.
After a tense, scoreless contest for much of the match, Haaland finally broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, rewarding a Norwegian side that had steadily taken control against a Brazilian team.
He struck again with his left foot just before the end of normal time, doubling Norway’s advantage. Brazil pulled one back from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but it proved too little, too late.
Shortly before the second-half hydration break, Neymar entered the match, prompting the loudest cheer from Brazilian supporters all afternoon. It would also be their last meaningful celebration of the tournament.
The decisive moment arrived in the closing stages as Haaland, Norway’s striker, delivered the breakthrough that sent his country into uncharted World Cup territory.
Haaland’s second goal left Brazil chasing the game in desperation, and emotions boiled over during stoppage time.
Moments later, the referee blew the final whistle, confirming a famous 2–1 victory for Norway and ending Brazil’s World Cup campaign.
Now in the quarter final, Norway is set to play England on Saturday July 11th at 5pm.
Clash Breaks Out in Sri Lankan Prison Killing More than 20, Injuring More than 100
Clashes broke out inside a prison in the outskirts of Sri Lanka’s capital, killing at least 25 people and injuring more than 100, officials and a TV station reported Monday.
Police said the unrest at the prison in Negombo, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of the capital, Colombo, began on Sunday and continued on Monday.
The current death toll stands at 25, which includes both inmates and six prison officials. More than 100 individuals have been admitted to hospitals with gunshot wounds, cuts, and severe bruises.
Preliminary findings indicate the initial conflict erupted between rival groups of inmates, reportedly linked to opposing factions over drug trafficking activities within the facility. The fight involved long-term convicted criminals and temporary detainees.
On Monday, inmates reportedly seized prison weapons. They turned on guards trying to intervene and attempted to escape before being contained. Female inmates also staged a rooftop protest during the unrest, leading to a partial roof collapse that caused further injuries.
The Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force (STF) and riot squads have taken full control of the prison. The military and air force remain deployed on standby around the perimeter to ensure security. Authorities are now transferring some inmates to other facilities and conducting a formal investigation.
This tragedy highlights severe ongoing issues with prison congestion in Sri Lanka, where the national prison system holds over 39,000 inmates despite a total capacity of only 10,000.
Death Toll Rises in Democratic Republic of Congo from Ebola Outbreak
More than 500 people have died from Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where over 1,500 cases have been confirmed, as frontline healthcare workers threatened to begin a strike Monday over unpaid benefits and poor working conditions.
According to the Ministry of Health’s latest update released Sunday night, the outbreak has recorded 1,561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths since it was officially declared on May 15th.
Authorities say the virus continues to spread faster than response efforts can contain it.
Health workers in Ituri province—the epicenter of the outbreak—issued a 24-hour strike notice on Sunday, warning that they would stop working unless the government pays outstanding benefits and improves working conditions.
The workforce which is made up primarily of healthcare professionals, has been operating under intense pressure with little rest while responding to the outbreak. In addition to treating patients, many have faced hostility from frustrated residents and widespread public skepticism about the virus.
In a notice addressed to the government, obtained by The Associated Press, workers from both hospitals and community health teams said they had not received their benefits since the outbreak began. They also reported shortages of essential medical supplies needed to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
The strike threat comes only days after enrollment began for clinical trials in the outbreak zone, raising concerns about the potential impact on response efforts. Any work stoppage could significantly hinder attempts to contain the virus, which has now spread across three eastern provinces.
The World Health Organization has warned that the first month of this Ebola outbreak was already the worst on record, underscoring the urgency of strengthening the response before the crisis escalates further.