Water Authority truck (CNS): The Water Authority-Cayman has confirmed that its base price will be increased by 3%, effective 1 July. Customers will see the adjusted rates reflected on their July bill, which will be issued at the end of the month. Under the base increase, the fee for residential customers in Grand Cayman for the first 12 cubic metres (m³) of water consumed each month, equivalent to approximately 3,200 US gallons, will increase by 13¢ per m³, from $4.34 to $4.47. Consumption above 12 m³ will increase by 17¢ per m³, from $5.57 to $5.74. In Cayman Brac, piped water customers will see an increase of 18¢ per m³, from $5.99 to $6.17, while trucked water customers will see an increase of 23¢ per m³, from $7.55 to $7.78. Sewerage rates, which are based on assessed Sewerage Fixture Units (SFUs), will increase from $1.672 to $1.722. The septage disposal rate...

“Potentially useful minds for the country are absorbed into dynamics of social validation, digital spectacle, small narcissistic wars, and emotional superficiality while Haiti goes through one of the greatest crises in its modern history.” There is something profoundly tragic in the way Haiti’s public discourse today seems to collapse into triviality while the country itself collapses in reality. Every day, entire hours are consumed by petty quarrels, ego clashes, public humiliations, digital gossip, “so-and-so said this,” “so-and-so replied that,” “so-and-so is sleeping with so-and-so,” “so-and-so insulted so-and-so,” as if Haiti’s entire media, intellectual, and emotional life were gradually being captured by a vast collective distraction. Meanwhile, the real national questions remain suspended in emptiness: institutional collapse, educational disintegration, structural violence, economic dependency, collective psychological erosion, massive youth migration, the crisis of the state, social misery, and civilizational fragmentation. And yet, what troubles me most is no longer even this mediocrity’s...

16 Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Canadian counterpart Mark Carnet have wrapped up a series of bilateral talks in Toronto with a commitment to deepen economic and strategic ties between Barbados and Canada.  The discussions, framed as an effort to revitalise a long-standing relationship, centred on expanding cooperation in areas including the creative arts, skills development innovation, climate resilience, maritime research, quantum computing, professional mobility and energy security. Carney underscored the significance of the partnership and praised Mottley’s international role, describing her as a “leader for tomorrow”. He also highlighted the importance of joint action on climate change, adaptation, resilience, climate finance and mitigation, while praising Barbados’ commitment to achieving 100 per cent clean energy. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said Mottley’s visit was intended to refocus relations by identifying practical measures to make it “easier and better for Barbadians and Canadians to continue to work together”. A...

La posibilidad de aprobar nuevos impuestos en Costa Rica como sugirió el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI), fue rechazada por varios partidos de oposición, como el Frente Amplio, el PLN y Agenda Ciudadana. Es por ello que, ante esta situación, el gobierno de Laura Fernández apostaría por una reforma del Estado en vez de nuevos tributos. Y es que, para aprobar nuevos impuestos al salario escolar, a la canasta básica y aumentar el pago de la renta para los asalariados y empresas, como propuso el organismo internacional, se requiere el respaldo de 38 diputados y sin la oposición no hay forma de conseguir ese consenso. Sin embargo, Nogui Acosta, diputado y jefe de fracción oficialista de Pueblo Soberano, negó que el gobierno de Fernández esté pensando en las medidas que propuso el FMI. “No es responsable tratar de asustar a los costarricenses diciendo que se viene una reforma fiscal. Eso solo...