Regional Business Leadership: CARICHAM elected Kiran Maharaj as its new Chair, with Vanessa Victorin and Gino Naarden as Vice-Chairs, aiming to turn trade facilitation, advocacy, member value, and disaster risk reduction into concrete business opportunities across a network representing 100,000+ firms. Public Health & Water Safety: The SAHRC flagged serious wastewater-treatment compliance failures in South Africa’s Kouga municipality, with bacterial counts (E. coli and coliforms) exceeding licence limits at Jeffreys Bay and KwaNomzamo—raising concerns even after rehabilitation steps. AI-Ready Tax Systems: CARICOM’s COTA conference in Georgetown puts “Smart, Data-Driven and AI-Enabled” tax administration on the agenda, as leaders argue Caribbean economies need more resilient, home-grown financing. Tech + Recycling in Schools: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group launched plastic bottle recycling bins in secondary schools, backed by a US$10,000 grant, to cut waste and relieve pressure on a local dump site. Science Communication & Food Safety: A commentary challenges how pesticide-use headlines can spark fear without context, urging deeper discussion of pesticide types, crop practices, and safer alternatives.