Energy Leadership: Veteran engineer Girvan Piggott has been appointed Antigua and Barbuda’s new Director of Energy, effective Aug. 1, bringing 20+ years of APUA project experience as the ministry pushes renewable energy and energy security. Pharmaceutical Regulation: Chief Drug Inspector Alfred Athill is attending the Global Drug Regulatory Conclave in New Delhi, joining regulators from 40 countries to discuss drug safety, quality assurance, and stronger international cooperation. Airport Infrastructure: Runway paving at V.C. Bird International Airport is completed, moving the US$50m rehabilitation into final testing and approvals, with completion expected in late August/early September. Maritime Skills: Tropical Shipping, PMAC, and the Port Authority have started the second cohort of a six-week Maritime Apprenticeship Programme, rotating trainees through shipping, port operations, logistics, and documentation. Electricity Disruptions: APUA repaired a damaged Pigotts transmission tower, causing temporary power interruptions and reduced water production at reverse osmosis plants. Policy & Public Sentiment: A survey finds nearly two-thirds of Antiguans and Barbudans oppose commercial whaling and many were unaware of government advocacy. Cybersecurity for CHOGM: Antigua and Barbuda signed a UK MoU to boost cybersecurity readiness ahead of CHOGM 2026. Citizenship-by-Investment Pressure: EU letters urge CBI countries to phase out programmes by June 1, 2028, with Nevis Premier Mark Brantley calling for a longer transition. Agriculture Land Use: The Ministry of Agriculture is requiring former ADC agricultural land tenants to regularize tenancy or risk losing access, aiming to protect food and nutrition security.