Tourism & Culture: Connect Barbados is back after six years, and this year it hit a high note with 92 global buyers from 83 companies, plus 111 local tourism partners, as Barbados pushes deeper into the Middle East and Africa. Food & Lifestyle: Chef Marcus Samuelsson is expanding his brand with Vibe BBQ at Baha Mar in Nassau, bringing Caribbean-rooted flavours to a family-friendly “eternal summer” vibe. Heritage & Community: Ahanta Heritage Month in Ghana culminated with the unveiling of a statue of executed Ahanta King Otumfuo Nana Badu Bonsu II, spotlighting history, remembrance, and cultural diplomacy. Local Events & Planning: Police have outlined traffic changes for Grand Kadooment (Aug 3) and Foreday Morning Jam (Aug 1), with road closures and parking restrictions across key routes. Social Impact & Business: The EU-LAC Social Accelerator Caribbean pitch competition opens for early-stage social startups in Barbados, DR, Jamaica and T&T, with winners earning sponsored participation in CIF 2026 in Barbados. Arts & Identity: A Barbados-born rapper Doug E. Fresh is featured in a Met Museum exhibit exploring how “musical bodies” shape sound, from beatboxing to the meaning of the word “organ.” Sports & National Pride: Barbados and the cricket world bid farewell to Sir Garfield Sobers, with tributes and a state funeral that drew local and international attention. Safety & Justice: A Christ Church man, Dwayne Hallam Drakes, is remanded on gun and ammo charges, while another offender was fined $30,000 for firearm and ammunition possession.