Banking & Development: Banreservas’ new executive president, Dr. Leonardo Aguilera, marks his first year with RD$282.4B in loans disbursed (Aug 2025–Jul 2026), including RD$135.3B to productive sectors and 34,873 MSME and agriculture-linked clients. Trade & Tariffs: Senator Félix Bautista filed a bill to ban imports made with forced labor, aiming to strengthen supply-chain traceability and support negotiations for a U.S. tariff reduction on Dominican exports. Cocoa & Industry: Dominican cocoa exports hit a record US$669M in 2025 (+55%), helped by higher global prices; the figure will be spotlighted at the Dominican Chocolate Festival (Sept 11–13). Public Services: The JCE expanded civil registry and ID services to 1,700+ people in Haina during a special August 4–15 operation, including late birth registrations and identity card issuance. Sports & Talent: Dominican player Rayni Merab Mondesi Arias led key volleyball categories at the U17 Worlds, while the Philippines’ Alas Pilipinas Girls finished 15th after a win over Czechia. Safety & Infrastructure: A diesel tanker explosion on Santo Domingo’s George Washington Avenue killed at least two people and triggered major traffic disruptions. Diplomacy: Roberto Álvarez concluded his six-year Foreign Affairs tenure; Víctor “Ito” Bisonó was appointed to succeed him.