UN Leadership Watch: The race to replace Antonio Guterres as UN secretary-general is heating up, with Argentina’s Rafael Grossi and Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan among the leading contenders for a five-year term starting Jan. 1, 2027. Climate & Farming: Antigua and Barbuda farmers are holding off planting and preparing land for a later sowing window as El Niño forecasts raise the risk of heat and irregular rainfall, pushing the focus toward water management. Soil-to-Health Research: Experts say Antigua and Barbuda’s soil microbiomes are tied to human health, linking farming practices to chronic disease risk. Entertainment & Visas: An opposition senator warned that reported US visa revocations for local music entertainers could hit international performance revenue. Shipping Disruption: An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged cargo ship remains grounded in Canada’s St. Lawrence River after a failed refloating attempt, with lightering already reducing cargo. Local Industry & Skills: The Taste of Wadadli Junior Chef Academy is placing students in real kitchen internships, building a pipeline for hospitality careers. Regional Trade Links: OECS and Morocco highlighted new opportunities for trade and investment during Economic Promotion Week. Housing Progress: China-funded Barbuda housing is moving toward construction after surveying work. Road Works: Government is advancing an EC$100 million road programme, including Barbuda’s Two Mile Road, as CDB funding nears disbursement. Agriculture Education: Antiguan schools can enter a CARICOM agriculture video competition for cash prizes, with a Sept. 4 deadline.