National Awards & Civic Service: Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT) founder Vallence Rambharat received the Hummingbird Medal (Gold), praising the group’s long-running volunteer work supporting families of missing persons. Regional Health & Labs: CARPHA and PAHO convened a four-day SARI/respiratory virus surveillance and diagnostics workshop in Trinidad for 11 Caribbean countries, aiming to strengthen early detection and lab capacity for influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Energy & Business Diplomacy: Amcham T&T welcomed PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s New York meeting with Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez, saying it could unlock wider cooperation in trade, energy, security, agriculture, tourism and air links. Special Operations Bill Politics: PM Persad-Bissessar attacked Independent senators after all nine voted against the Special Operations Bill, while Tobago’s Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said Tobago’s inclusion is needed for its maritime security realities. Gas Sector & Downstream Planning: NGC chairman Gerald Ramdeen said the company will adjust its downstream commercial model toward longer-term, more certain gas arrangements to support reliable operations and investment. Food & Manufacturing Transition: Caribbean Flavours & Fragrances (CFF) is investing in lab tech to help regional manufacturers shift from synthetic to naturally derived colours, with Trinidad as its biggest market. International MoU: Bangladesh and T&T signed an MoU for regular bilateral consultations, with energy flagged for early technical talks. Governance & Migration Watch: Guyana’s AG Anil Nandlall said the country is reviewing citizenship and non-citizen property rules to tighten controls amid rapid oil-driven growth.