Protection of Wages Bill: Prime Minister Mia Mottley pushed the second reading of Barbados’ Protection of Wages Bill, making payday a legal obligation for employers and limiting late wages to genuine emergencies, while reinforcing that wages are workers’ money—not something to be “held hostage.” Instant payments explained: Central Bank Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge defended the move to BiMPay, arguing the island needed public payment infrastructure that pays businesses and workers fast, at any time, instead of relying on slower batch systems that drive cash and cheque use. Procurement scrutiny (regional): Bermuda’s government faced questions over no-bid affordable housing contracts, with claims that oversight waivers weren’t required—an issue that will resonate across the region’s public procurement debates. Energy transition push: The CDB and CCREEE are set to launch ASERT 2030’s capacity programme (about US$5.29m) to speed Caribbean energy planning and resilience, with renewables still at only 12% of the regional mix. Caribbean skills for the digital economy: CARICOM’s Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project wrapped up, leaving online learning units and trained instructors across Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. Local consumer safety: Barbados Water Authority warned of a fake TikTok account falsely claiming PayPal bill payments. Cricket business & community: CWI will honour Barbadian Kemar Roach for 300 Test wickets at Kensington Oval, with free admission—while CPL continues to market cricket as a tourism and business engine across the islands. Regional legal drafting: Barbados’ Shaquille Newton was elected to CALC’s governing council, boosting the Caribbean’s influence in Commonwealth legislative drafting. Sports tourism calendar: Antigua and Barbuda outlined CPL home fixtures and “Home of Party Cricket” programming, positioning matches as a driver of longer stays and visitor spending.