Energy & Inflation Watch: ECLAC warns oil prices will average higher in 2026 than 2025, with Central America and the Dominican Republic facing pressure on trade balances and inflation if oil stays about 25% above last year. Tourism & Heritage Revitalization: Santo Domingo’s Tourism Ministry inaugurated the restored Alcázar de Colón Museum (over RD$100M) and launched an RD$86M public lighting upgrade for the Colonial City to boost safety, energy efficiency, and visitor experience. Energy Sector Planning: Energy Minister Joel Santos outlined a long-term strategy to meet rising electricity demand through generation expansion, grid modernization, rural electrification, and stronger public-private coordination. Agribusiness & Border Development: ITESIL and the Dominican Agrarian Institute launched an agro-industrial project to turn 900+ tareas in Montecristi into a research, innovation, production, and training hub across the value chain. Remittances: The BCRD reports remittances reached US$6,219.3M in the first half of 2026 (+6.7% y/y), driven mainly by the U.S. diaspora. Sargassum Threat to Tourism: Record sargassum levels are hitting Punta Cana and the wider coast, affecting beach access, cleanup costs, fishing, and marine ecosystems. Trade & Security: U.S. CBP seized US$1.5M in cocaine in an air cargo shipment declared as “Music Equipment,” originating in Santo Domingo. Financial Innovation: Banco Popular says its Gnial cards are now made with plastic recovered from the Dominican coast via Parley for the Oceans, tying card use to ocean conservation funding.