Workplace Culture & Productivity: A new Barbados-linked study says worker disengagement could be costing the island up to $1.6bn a year, with “cultural misalignment” framed as a measurable productivity tax. Digital MSMEs: The Caribbean Development Bank and the Small Business Association of Barbados launched a regional push to help at least 150 MSMEs assess digital maturity and adopt practical digital tools, with inclusion for women-led and underserved firms. AI Adoption Gap: Barbados’ energy and business minister flagged concern that local small businesses are hesitant to adopt AI, urging faster uptake to avoid falling behind. Health & Misinformation: The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners warns that rising requests to exempt children from routine immunisations could weaken vaccine protection, blaming misinformation spreading via social media and foreign media. Education Tech & Assessment: CXC launched the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC), while education advocates are also calling for more transparency and deeper scrutiny after CXC results. Coastal Resilience: Barbados announced a $105.8m coastal resilience programme (largely IADB-financed) to tackle erosion, with first-phase focus areas named. Housing Transfers: The National Housing Corporation says nearly 500 families have received homes in early phases, as legal transfers for long-term tenants continue. Regional Finance & Tech: Butterfield completed initial regulatory filings for its $1.8bn CIBC Caribbean acquisition, targeting a first-half 2027 close. Life Sciences Tech: Valkit.ai named Provalis Latam as its exclusive Latin America partner for digital validation in pharma and biotech.