Petroleum Pricing Shock: St. Lucia’s government says retail prices for gasoline, diesel and LPG rise effective Sept. 14, 2026 (gasoline/diesel EC$16.75 to EC$17.25 per imperial gallon; 20-lb LPG EC$34 to EC$36; 22-lb EC$38 to EC$40; 100-lb EC$288.50 to EC$314.88; bulk LPG EC$2.76 to EC$3.02 per pound), while kerosene stays unchanged, with subsidies continuing through Oct. 4 to cushion consumers. Labour Market & Jobs: The unemployment rate falls to 10.1% in Q2 (from 12.1% in Q1), with employment rising to 99,528 and youth unemployment dropping to 15.5%. Labour Act Overhaul: The Department of Labour, Co-operatives and Consumer Affairs begins a review of the Labour Act to modernise it, with stakeholder consultations already underway. Climate Resilience Funding: CABRIC opens grant opportunities for locally led coastal resilience projects across participating countries including St. Lucia, with small grants up to US$150,000 and larger options up to US$500,000. Heat-Ready Schools: Schools adjust routines during the heatwave, including allowing students to drink water during class and using shade, ventilation and fans. Panama Canal Pressure on Imports: CARICOM’s private sector group warns Panama Canal restrictions could expose US$8–10 billion in annual imports to higher costs and thinner inventories into 2027. Tourism & Industry Signals: OECS launches its Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship applications (Sept. 10–20) to build advanced tech capability for the future of work.