OECS Leadership & Governance: Prime Minister Gaston Browne took over the OECS Authority chairmanship as leaders met in Antigua for the bloc’s 45th anniversary, with Friday stressing regional integration as a practical survival tool amid geopolitical shocks. OECS Migration Talks: OECS agreed to form a high-level advisory team to guide negotiations with the US over a request for member states to accept third-nation deportees. Regional Trade Push: Browne urged OECS members to deepen ties with Panama to cut costs, expand trade, and strengthen food security via the logistics hub of the Panama Canal. Housing & Construction Capacity: Browne said Antigua and Barbuda may need to recruit construction workers overseas to hit its goal of 5,000 homes in 10 years, while the government pursues a $100m housing bond to scale building to about 500 homes a year. Water Security: APUA plans new capacity before year-end, including a 1.5m-gallon reverse osmosis plant at Crabs and a 400,000-gallon Friars Hill facility donated by Japan. Tourism Investment: Long Bay Zen Resort is set to bring AI concierge, robotics, and an over-water chapel, while Fort James Renaissance Park is moving toward a September start with $5m from the Sandals settlement and potential marina investment. Local Jobs & Business: Epicurean workers at Pastry Ltd. secured wage increases and improved benefits under new collective bargaining agreements. Health Services Delay: Antigua’s Cancer Centre opening slipped again to early fall/September due to structural repairs, unserviced equipment, and specialist recruitment. Agriculture & Food Sustainability: IICA’s Antigua accountability seminar focused on food sustainability, agro-processing, youth engagement, and access to equipment. Energy & Cost Pressure: Browne said the government owes WIOC over $6m from fuel price subsidies meant to protect households and businesses. Education & Skills: ECCB named Phillip John as the 2026 ECCB–Thomas De La Rue Scholar for graduate study in Environmental Data Science and Machine Learning. Culture & Youth: ABFC launched Panorama 2026 and presented $165,000 to the Pan Association, and ECAB rolled out the 2026 Mr. & Miss Teenage Pageant.