AGP Executive Report

Mobile Connectivity Costs: Broadband Genie’s new survey of 3,446 SIM-only plans across 234 markets puts the UK at 46th for average mobile broadband cost, at about $0.27 per 1GB (with big caveats around pricing conversions, fair-use limits, and lack of economic weighting). Pesticide Safety: Kenya hit a record high in pesticide use in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with most volume coming from fungicides/bactericides and a major share classified as highly hazardous—raising health and environmental concerns alongside illegal chemical imports. Media & Politics: Reuters reports CNews’ rightward shift under Vincent Bolloré, including the January removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger, as France’s far-right election momentum grows. Science & Tech Context: A separate “Beyond one statistic” piece argues that single indicators can mislead about national progress—an angle that matters for how we interpret development and research claims.

Mobile Connectivity Costs: A new Broadband Genie study of 3,446 SIM-only plans across 234 markets puts the UK at 46th for average mobile broadband price, at about $0.27 per 1GB—behind Italy and France, but ahead of Germany and Spain, with caveats about how “unlimited” and fair-use limits are handled. Agriculture & Health: Kenya’s pesticide use hit a record 6,953 tonnes in 2024, with more than two-thirds classified as highly hazardous, raising concerns as farmers rely on chemicals to protect key crops amid illegal imports and environmental risks. Media & Politics: Reuters reports that France’s CNews has shifted further right under billionaire Vincent Bolloré, with the removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger, a development seen as relevant to the run-up to April’s presidential election. Trade Data Note: A U.S. international goods and services trade release provides methodological details on how imports and exports are valued and counted. Satire/Serial Fiction: Scott McKay’s “The Necessary Men” continues with new serialized chapters.

Climate Risk for the Caribbean: CIMH and UWI climate researchers warn that a strengthening El Niño could bring drought and hotter-than-usual conditions into 2027, with reduced rainfall and more hot-spell days likely stressing water supplies, agriculture, and public health across the Windwards, Leewards, and ABC islands. Pesticide Pressure in Agriculture: Kenya’s pesticide use hit a record high in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with heavy reliance on highly hazardous pesticides—raising health and environmental concerns even as farmers depend on chemicals to protect yields. Media & Tech/Policy Spillover: A Reuters report says France’s CNews has shifted further right under owner Vincent Bolloré, with the removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger seen as part of a tighter editorial line ahead of the presidential election—showing how media platforms can shape political agendas. Independence, Data, and Development Debate: A commentary argues that “knowing history” isn’t enough—measuring prosperity needs more than per-capita income, including who owned assets, how wealth was distributed, and access to education, health, and housing.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a drought-and-heat crisis stretching into 2027, with CIMH and UWI Mona warning that strengthening El Niño could mean less rain, more hot-spell days, and higher evaporation—pressuring water supplies, agriculture, and public health across Windwards, Leewards, and ABC islands. Food Safety & Chemicals: Kenya’s pesticide use hit a record high in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with heavy reliance on fungicides/bactericides and a large share of highly hazardous pesticides—raising concerns about health and environmental risks alongside illegal pesticide markets. Media & Politics (France): Reuters reports CNews’ hardening right-wing line under billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including the removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger, as far-right influence grows ahead of France’s presidential election. Trade Data (U.S.): A U.S. international trade update for July 2026 was published, offering a snapshot of goods and services flows. Local Context (Caribbean Governance): A commentary argues that “prosperity” at independence can’t be judged by per-capita income alone, pointing to how ownership, inequality, and access to education, healthcare, and housing shape outcomes.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a drought-and-heat stretch into 2027 as strengthening El Niño brings less rain and more hot-spell days, with CIMH and UWI warning of growing pressure on water supplies, farming, and public health. Agriculture & Health: Kenya’s pesticide use hit a record high in 2024, driven by heavy reliance on fungicides/bactericides and a large share of highly hazardous pesticides—raising concerns about illegal markets and risks to people and the environment. Media & Politics (France): Reuters reports Bolloré’s CNews has tightened its right-wing editorial line ahead of France’s presidential election, including the removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger after Gaza-related criticism and defense of Sarkozy’s conviction. Science & Society (Caribbean context): A reflective piece argues that “knowing” a country’s history isn’t enough—Independence should be judged by who benefits from prosperity, including access to education, health, housing, and assets. Satire/Storytelling: Scott McKay’s The Necessary Men continues with new serialized chapters set in Cuba, blending political intrigue with fiction.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a drought-and-heat crisis that could stretch into 2027 as El Niño strengthens, with CIMH and UWI warning of less rain, more hot-spell days, and likely drought across Windwards, Leewards and ABC islands—raising pressure on water supplies, farming, and public health. Agrochemicals & Health Risks: Kenya hit a record pesticide high in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with fungicides/bactericides leading and a major share classified as highly hazardous pesticides, while illegal pesticide markets and environmental and health dangers grow alongside crop-protection dependence. Science & Tech in the News Ecosystem: In France, Reuters reports CNews’ rightward hardening after the removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger, highlighting how media influence can shape political agendas ahead of the April presidential election. Culture & Media (Light): A new episode from Scott McKay’s satirical “The Necessary Men” continues a serialized thriller—more entertainment than science, but still part of the week’s tech-adjacent media landscape.

Media & Politics: Reuters reports that conservative pundit Philippe Bilger was removed from France’s CNews after he criticised Israel’s Gaza conduct and defended the judiciary’s conviction of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy—an example of how billionaire Vincent Bolloré is hardening the channel’s right-wing editorial line ahead of April’s presidential election. Public Health & Environment: Kenya hit a record pesticide high in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with fungicides/bactericides leading; a separate report warns that more than two-thirds of pesticides are “highly hazardous,” raising risks amid surging illegal imports. Climate Risk for the Caribbean: CIMH and UWI Mona warn the region should prepare for a drought-and-heat crisis stretching into 2027 as strengthening El Niño drives hotter, drier conditions, with reduced rainfall and more hot-spell days expected across many islands. Global Data (Religion): Pew Research Center’s updated country-by-country religious map shows Christianity as the largest religion in 123 of 201 countries/territories and Islam leading in 54, with only two countries shifting their top group between 2010 and 2020.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a drought-and-heat threat stretching into 2027 as strengthening El Niño brings hotter, drier conditions, with CIMH and UWI Mona warning that reduced rainfall plus higher evaporation could push drought across Windwards, Leewards and ABC islands, stressing water supplies, farming and public health. Agriculture & Health: Kenya’s pesticide use hit a record high in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with heavy reliance on fungicides/bactericides and a large share of highly hazardous pesticides, raising concerns about illegal chemical markets and health/environment risks. Religion Data (Global, but useful for local context): Pew Research Center’s updated global religious composition map shows Christianity as the largest religion in 123 of 201 countries and territories and Islam leading in 54, with only two countries shifting their largest group between 2010 and 2020. Media & Politics (Less science-focused): A Reuters report says CNews’ rightward editorial shift and the removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger reflect tightening influence ahead of France’s presidential election.

Caribbean Climate Watch: The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) and UWI’s climate group warn that a strengthening El Niño could bring drought and more hot-spell days into 2027, stressing water supplies, farming, and public health—especially across Windwards, Leewards and the ABC Islands as rainfall drops and evaporation rises. Pesticide Safety Alarm: Kenya hit a record pesticide high in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with fungicides/bactericides leading; a Route to Food report flags that more than two-thirds are highly hazardous pesticides, raising concerns over illegal markets and health and environmental risks. Media & Politics (Tech/Info Angle): A Reuters report says CNews’ far-right editorial line has hardened under owner Vincent Bolloré, including the removal of conservative pundit Philippe Bilger after Gaza-related criticism—highlighting how media platforms can shape political agendas ahead of France’s election. Global Context: A Pew Research Center update maps the largest religion by country, showing Christianity leads in 123 territories and Islam in 54.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a potentially severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027 as a strengthening El Niño drives hotter, drier conditions, with CIMH and UWI warning that reduced rainfall plus higher evaporation could trigger drought across much of the Windwards, Leewards, and ABC Islands. Agriculture & Health Risks: Kenya’s pesticide use hit a record high in 2024 (6,953 tonnes), with fungicides/bactericides, herbicides, and insecticides leading the totals—while more than two-thirds of pesticides are classed as highly hazardous, raising concerns about farm safety and environmental harm. Global Context (Religion Data): Pew Research Center’s updated global religion map shows Christianity as the largest religion in 123 countries and territories and Islam leading in 54, with only two countries shifting their top group between 2010 and 2020. Trade Watch: U.S. goods and services trade data for July 2026 was published, offering a broader economic backdrop for regional tech and supply-chain planning.

Trade & Industry: A new U.S. snapshot on international goods and services for July 2026 lays out how imports and exports are counted via U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, with details on valuation methods and what’s included or excluded. Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a potentially severe drought and heat stretch into 2027 as strengthening El Niño brings hotter, drier conditions, with forecasts pointing to reduced rainfall and more hot-spell days across Windwards, Leewards and parts of the ABC Islands. Public Health & Environment: Kenya’s pesticide consumption hit a record high in 2024, with heavy reliance on fungicides and herbicides and a large share of “highly hazardous” pesticides raising health and environmental concerns. Regional Tech & Infrastructure: Grenada is set to host the 35th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association conference (12–16 Oct 2026), aiming to boost dialogue and practical action on water security, climate resilience, wastewater and solid waste management. Culture & Media: Scott McKay’s satirical thriller series continues with Episode 7, “The Flip,” as the story pushes into new twists.

Pesticide Safety Watch: Kenya hit a record 6,953 tonnes of pesticide use in 2024, with fungicides and bactericides leading, while more than two-thirds of products are classed as highly hazardous—raising alarms over health and environmental risks, plus illegal imports. Climate Resilience: The Caribbean is bracing for a potentially severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027 as strengthening El Niño drives hotter, drier conditions, with CIMH warning of reduced rainfall and higher evaporation across Windwards, Leewards and ABC islands. Regional Water Tech: Grenada will host the 35th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association conference (Oct 12–16, 2026), aiming to boost water security, climate resilience, wastewater and solid waste management through dialogue among ministers, utilities, engineers and partners. Science & Society (Background): A new Pew Research map updates which religion is largest in each country, based on 2020 self-identification.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is being warned to brace for a potentially severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027, as strengthening El Niño brings hotter, drier conditions and more hot-spell days; CIMH and UWI’s climate group say reduced rainfall and higher evaporation could drive drought across the Windwards, Leewards and ABC Islands, with risks spilling into early 2027 and stressing water supplies, farming and public health. Regional Infrastructure & Waste: Grenada is set to host the 35th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition (12–16 Oct 2026), positioning the island as a hub for water security, climate resilience, wastewater and solid-waste management, with Nawasa and Grenada’s solid waste authority co-hosting. Global Data for Context: A Pew Research Center update maps the largest religion by country and territory (2020 estimates), showing Christianity leading in 123 places and Islam in 54, with only two countries shifting their top group between 2010 and 2020. Tech Note (Local Roaming): Kyivstar launched a travel-focused eSIM for mobile internet roaming, available in 38 countries and also in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Media (Science-adjacent): Scott McKay’s satirical thriller series continues with Episode 7, “The Flip.”

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a potentially severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027, with strengthening El Niño driving hotter, drier conditions and raising the risk of water shortages, stress on agriculture, and public health impacts. Regional Infrastructure & Waste Management: Grenada is set to host the 35th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference and Exhibition (12–16 Oct 2026), aiming to boost dialogue and practical action on water security, climate resilience, wastewater, and solid waste management. Connectivity for Travelers (Local Angle): Kyivstar has launched a travel-focused eSIM for mobile internet roaming, and the service is available in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana—letting users pay only for selected data packages abroad.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a potentially severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027, with strengthening El Niño driving less rain and more hot-spell days. CIMH and UWI warn that reduced rainfall and higher evaporation could push drought conditions across the Windwards, Leewards and ABC islands, with impacts on water supplies, farming and public health. Regional Water Tech & Waste: Grenada is set to host the 35th Annual Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) Conference (12–16 Oct 2026), aiming to boost action on water security, climate resilience, wastewater and solid waste management. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has started as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, tasked with supporting more resilient, equitable health systems across the region including Martinique and other French Caribbean territories. Connectivity for Travelers: Kyivstar launched a travel eSIM “Travel SIM” for mobile internet roaming in 38 countries, including service availability in Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. Heritage Under Review: An international team is assessing Grenada’s historic Drill Yard after a court injunction blocked demolition by the NIS Board, with a preservation-potential assessment due by 31 Aug 2026.

Climate & Water Security: The Caribbean is bracing for a potentially severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027, with strengthening El Niño conditions expected to bring below-normal rainfall and more hot-spell days—raising risks for water supplies, farming, and public health, especially across the Windwards, Leewards and ABC Islands. Regional Water & Waste Tech: Grenada will host the 35th Annual CWWA Conference and Exhibition (12–16 Oct 2026), aiming to boost dialogue and practical solutions on water security, climate resilience, wastewater, and solid waste management. Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has started as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, overseeing technical cooperation across the OECS and parts of the French Caribbean to strengthen resilient, equitable health systems. Connectivity for Travelers: Kyivstar launched a travel eSIM “SIM for mobile Internet in roaming” available in 38 countries, including Martinique and Guadeloupe, letting users pay only for selected data packages. Heritage & Engineering: An international team is assessing Grenada’s historic Drill Yard after a court injunction paused demolition, with a preservation-focused technical review due by 31 Aug 2026.