Dominica Budget & Cost of Living: Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor praised the 2026-27 budget while urging a politics that moves beyond blind partisanship, and she zeroed in on the real worry for households: prices at the supermarket, gas station, pharmacy, rent, school uniforms, electricity bills, and other essentials. Tax Relief: Finance Minister Irving McIntyre announced a major personal income tax overhaul—starting Jan. 1, 2027, earners above EC$30,000 will pay a single 10% flat rate (with no personal income tax for EC$30,000 or less). Education & Jobs: The budget also highlights education spending and school construction progress, with new/ongoing projects (Goodwill Secondary, Kalinago Primary, Capuchin Primary, plus others) nearing completion and supporting local employment. Youth & Culture Abroad: The Dominica National 4-H Club launched its first international educational tour to Paris with 31 participants, blending real-world learning with confidence and responsibility. Creative Economy Push: Government plans a Dominica Creative Economy Development Agency (DCEDA), with consultations planned for artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and cultural practitioners. Tourism & Community Events: Asa Bantan’s 10th annual Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete returns to Grand Bay as a multi-day cultural weekend, while the GEMS Artisan Market is set for October during Creole Day week. Regional Policy Pressure: The EU warned five Caribbean “golden passport” states—including Dominica—that citizenship-by-investment must be phased out by June 1, 2028 or Schengen visa-free access could be at risk. Global Travel Rules: The U.S. made its visa bond programme permanent, with Dominica among affected countries, requiring certain B-1/B-2 applicants to post refundable bonds up to US$20,000. Marine Lifestyle: Dominica Poker Run 2026 wrapped with a Toucarie finale, celebrating strategy, seamanship, and island pride.