Energy & Utilities: WAPA has scheduled back-to-back overnight blackouts for St. Thomas–St. John (Mon July 13 and Tue July 14, 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.), with multiple feeders affected, while St. Croix continues to face multi-day grid instability. Water Crisis Politics: Works Minister Kye Rymer says the BVI’s water shortages stem from decades of ageing, neglected infrastructure and underinvestment, pointing to long-standing failures and planned reservoir rehabilitation. Opposition Pushback: In the USVI, Hon. Marlon Penn and Hon. Kye Rymer traded accusations over the territory’s water shortage, with Penn arguing families are “paying twice” for a basic service. Public Finance: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. is moving to form a Financial Solutions Task Force to reduce WAPA debt and improve hospital/health finances, with bond-financing options on the table. Business & Markets: Aura Minerals reported preliminary Q2 2026 production of 75,437 GEO and record first-half output; RYKI (BVI) launched same-day settlement rails for online gaming using crypto/stablecoin payments. Regional Tech/Compliance: ExpressVPN expanded to 214 server locations in 113 countries, and Satstreet (Canada) highlighted regulatory progress and audits. Trade & Cost Pressures: New York Fed research says many Mid-Atlantic firms—including Puerto Rico and the USVI—still plan further price hikes to offset tariff costs. VI Research: UVI’s VICAR partnered with NOAA to deploy a biogeochemical Argo float south of St. Thomas to collect first offshore water-column data. Caribbean Business Culture: Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards returned to the BVI, honoring regional entrepreneurs and VI culinary leader Shanda Webster-Glasgow.