Regional Diplomacy: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar met Saint Lucia’s PM and CARICOM chair Philip J. Pierre to push health and crime-fighting cooperation, and to brief on a CCJ advisory opinion request tied to the CARICOM Secretary-General. Security & Defence: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth used the Panamax 2026 exercises in Panama to urge regional partners to operationalize the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition against narco-terrorism, with Trinidad among participants. Energy Deals: ExxonMobil met with the PM on seismic approvals and potential hydrocarbon finds, while BP’s Manakin-linked push continues as NGC moves to acquire a 20% stake and BP expands Venezuela’s Loran gas licence in partnership with XRG and UCC. Justice & Governance: CCJ judges are locked in a judicial-dress dispute after leaked emails, with regional legal bodies calling for probes and caution over the court’s independence. Local Crime Response: Tobago THA welcomed police posts as an additional crime-fighting measure, citing earlier reductions in crime where posts were set up. Food & Agriculture: Trinidad faces a temporary chicken shortage blamed on searing heat, and the Agriculture Ministry is advancing a poultry hatchery PPP plus new approved egg/chick sources to stabilize supply. Public Services: EMA says Beetham Landfill relocation is planned within two years, but social impacts for livelihoods must be addressed first. Tobago Development: The new ANR Robinson airport terminal is nearing readiness, with a possible opening within a month pending Cabinet decisions.