CARICOM Affordability Push: CARICOM Heads of Government, with the OECS Business Council and private sector, agreed practical steps to ease cost of living—cutting intra-regional trade barriers, lowering transport and logistics costs, diversifying imports, and addressing the impact of the IMO Net-Zero Framework on small island states. Regional Cargo Ferry Plan: Barbados PM Mia Mottley says a proof-of-concept cargo ferry will start using a Trinidad and Tobago vessel while governments finalise treaty and regulatory work (licences, insurance) and private partners secure a permanent service—aimed at reducing freight costs and supporting food security. Barbados Disaster Preparedness: Barbados is stepping up adaptive social protection and disaster response planning, with officials citing Hurricane Beryl’s hit to the fishing industry and warning that storms can erase years of progress. Affordable Housing Boost: Ground was broken for Vineyard Meadows in St Philip—1,100 affordable homes over six stages, with prices starting at $170,000, led by the National Housing Corporation and Vineyard Development Inc. Agriculture Security Crackdown: Agriculture Minister Shantal Munro-Knight joined police farm patrols and warned that crop and livestock theft is being treated as organised crime, with changes coming for consumers and vendors. Payments Watch: The IMF says BiMPay could cut transaction costs and improve inclusion, but flags adoption, regulation, privacy, and governance risks as the system rolls out. Workers’ Rights: Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry backs the Protection of Wages Bill and urges lawful, timely wage payments as labour reforms move toward a formal Labour Code. Migrant Labour Concerns: BEC and BWU are weighing allegations of migrant worker exploitation in the construction sector, with calls for inspections and full labour-law protections. Tourism & Education: CMEx’s US$2,500 contribution to St Michael School Alumni supports classroom technology and sports initiatives, while Barbados tourism marketing continues strengthening UK/Irish travel trade ahead of 2026.