Digital Payments Launch: Barbados has gone live with BiMPay, its national instant payment system, enabling 24/7 transfers for people, businesses and government—PM Mia Mottley made the first live purchase. Financial Inclusion Debate: Credit union leaders welcomed BiMPay but urged policymakers to tackle barriers like employers not paying salaries into credit union accounts. Public Service Tech: The Pearly app is rolling out to let citizens report concerns and track responses, aiming to make government more responsive. Health Tech & Policy: Barbados is moving to reform medicine oversight with the Barbados Medical Products Bill, creating a new autonomous authority to regulate medicines and devices to international standards. Public Health Alert: The Ministry of Health says syphilis cases are rising and is urging testing and safer sex. Infrastructure & Safety: A veteran engineer warns Barbados’ drainage problems worsen road deterioration and flooding risks. Transport Platform Scrutiny: Uber says its Barbados model partners with licensed taxi drivers and follows official fare rates amid taxi earnings concerns. STEM & Innovation: Future Caribbean launched a global agentic AI buildathon to back Caribbean tech startups, with a New York Stock Exchange showcase planned. Industry Innovation: Harris Paints unveiled Quantum Dry, a world-first single-base dry tinting system, starting in Barbados. Tech in Schools: Students are being exposed to robotics, drones and emerging tech through training camps and career inspiration tours. Energy & Climate: PM Friday reaffirmed renewable energy expansion as part of climate resilience efforts. Regional Capacity Building: CARPHA trained 18 people across member states on safe transport of infectious substances to strengthen lab and pandemic preparedness.