Tourism & Trade Diplomacy: Caribbean Week returns to New York June 1 at InterContinental Times Square, with BVI Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley and USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. leading a regional tourism delegation for meetings on airlift, marketing, sustainability and next-gen leadership. Youth Pipeline: The BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission will host the Virgin Islands Junior Ambassador of Tourism competition June 4, with 10 students vying to represent the Territory at CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Guyana. Banking Deal: Carey Olsen advised Butterfield on its landmark US$1.8bn agreement to acquire CIBC Caribbean’s 91.7% stake, creating a combined platform with about US$29bn in assets across 19 jurisdictions. Financial Regulation (BVI): BIT says the BVI Financial Services Commission approved Matrixport Technologies Ltd for a SIBA Category 2 licence and VASP registration, expanding regulated digital-asset services. Local Governance & Cost of Living: Premier Wheatley praised Opposition Leader Marlon Penn’s “reasonable” scrutiny of the Consumer Protection Amendment Bill while criticizing Mitch Turnbull’s opposition as emotional and lacking substance. Sister Islands Representation: Premier Wheatley said separate HoA representatives for Anegada and Jost van Dyke would be “quite irregular,” pointing to constitutional districting and the role of a Boundaries Commission. Disaster Readiness: CDEMA warned of severe flash-flood risks across Caribbean territories despite a predicted below-average hurricane season. Workforce Reality Check: Mark Vanterpool argued the real issue behind expat hiring is a shortage of locals willing to take available jobs, citing lower cost and simpler hiring for employers. Aviation Oversight: Former BVIAA managing director Kurt Menal clarified he resigned and gave notice before leaving, after reports of his departure. Public Safety: Police were called after a customer brawl at RiteWay Pasea; RTW says no injuries and that security and the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force helped de-escalate.