Saharan Air Layer (Photo credit: Jason Dunion NOAA/HRD) (CNS): Over the last two days, the air quality readings across Grand Cayman during the current Saharan dust event have remained within the Good to Moderate range of the United States Air Quality Index (US AQI). Government officials said there had been no locations recording readings in the unhealthy or higher categories, and the Cayman Islands National Weather Service (CINWS) has lifted the alert as dust concentrations decline, aided by isolated showers. Health officials have been actively monitoring the situation and issued public advisories in response to elevated airborne dust concentrations observed over the Cayman Islands in recent days. The Department of Environmental Health conducted a comprehensive, island-wide air quality assessment at public and private schools across all districts of Grand Cayman over the last two days, with measurements taken from early morning through the afternoon. Using calibrated handheld instruments, DEH staff...

80 A biosecurity expert is urging heightened vigilance as scientists examine whether climate change is helping to drive the spread of the deadly rodent-borne disease known as hantavirus, raising concern over its emergence in new regions and the risk of misdiagnosis in the Caribbean. He urged Barbadians to be prepared and to show greater respect for their environment. Dr Kirk Douglas, director of the Centre for Biosecurity Studies at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, said while the pending El Niño weather phenomenon associated with high temperatures is not a guarantee of hantavirus outbreaks, it is a climate signal that should trigger preparedness, rodent surveillance and early warning systems, if possible. Scientists are looking at the climate factors that may be driving the spread of the disease – which has already killed three people from 13 confirmed cases worldwide – into new areas. In Argentina, where the...

News Kathy Ramdeen Friday 30 January 2026 Independent Senator Dr Desiree Murray speaking during the Senate debate on January 20. – Lincoln Holder THE Law Association of TT (LATT) has expressed its concern over the accusations made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar against the Independent Senators who voted against the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026. The UNC-led government was seeking to introduce zones of special operations to replace the July 18, 2025 state of emergency (SoE) which ends on January 31. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives at 3.30 am on January 17 with a vote of 27 for and 11 against. On January 27, the bill was defeated in the Senate after eight Independent Senators and six Opposition Senators voted against it. Independent Senator Courtney Mc Nish abstained. In a Facebook post on January 28, Persad-Bissessar accused...

El hundimiento de 15 metros de profundidad que provocaron las lluvias a la altura del kilómetro 56 durará unas dos semanas en arreglarse, según dio a conocer Efraím Zeledón, ministro de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT). Esto hizo que el paso se mantuviera cerrado ayer durante todo el día, según reportes oficiales al cierre de edición. Sin embargo, la expectativa es reanudar hoy la circulación en ese punto, cercano a Orotina, pero solo para vehículos livianos, mientras que los camiones de carga pesada tendrán que tomar Cambronero como ruta alterna. Por otra parte, a inicios de la otra semana quedará listo un puente modular en el sitio, el cual permitirá abrir todos los carriles en la zona mientras se concluyen las obras para resolver el hundimiento. Esta estructura es temporal, agregó Zeledón. “La solución definitiva es quitar la alcantarilla que colapsó y sustituirla por una alcantarilla nueva. Esto puede tardar...

Owen Roberts International Airport arrivals (CNS): While local health officials continue to rate the current risk of the Ebola virus reaching the Cayman Islands as low, enhanced screening measures for selected incoming flights at Owen Roberts International Airport will begin next Thursday. Travellers are encouraged to cooperate fully with all screening or monitoring measures implemented at any ports of entry, as these play an important role in protecting public health. The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and international health authorities, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and regional public health partners, have advised that there is considerable uncertainty regarding the total number of cases, and several factors suggest the outbreak may be more extensive than currently reported. According to a release from the Ministry of Health, CARPHA and regional...

De gauche à droite: Alix « Boulon » Fils-Aimé et son fils Alix Didier Fils-Aimé (English) Il y a quinze ans, cette semaine même, Haïti Liberté entamait sa fière collaboration avec Wikileaks, l’organisation médiatique qui a fourni au plus grand hebdomadaire d’Haïti près de 2 000 câbles secrets du Département d’État américain, lesquels ont mis à nu le rôle néfaste de Washington dans le pays. À partir de ces communications classifiées, les journalistes d’Haïti Liberté ont produit des dizaines d’articles rendant compte principalement des interactions de l’ambassade des États-Unis avec la seconde administration du défunt président René Préval, lorsque ce dernier gouvernait Haïti, de mai 2006 à mai 2011. À bien des égards, l’actuel gouvernement de facto d’Haïti, dirigé par le Premier ministre Alix Didier Fils-Aimé et imposé par la « diplomatie de la canonnière » américaine, constitue un duplicata et un descendant direct du gouvernement de Préval. Les ministres...

6 Independent Senator Canon Dr John Rogers has described Barbados as a “society under siege”, warning that while a proposed anti-gang law was necessary, legislation alone would not solve the country’s crime problem. “Barbados has become a foreign place,” he said, adding that the country had become foreign not only in terms of demographics but also because of ideologies that had taken root within society. The Anglican cleric called for tougher parenting, stronger community involvement, and a return to discipline as the Senate moved on Friday to tackle rising gang activity and violent crime through the Criminal Gangs (Prevention and Control) Bill. Senator Rogers declared he was speaking on the bill with a heavy heart, noting the approach of several historic milestones, including the 400th anniversary of the settlement of the island, the 60th anniversary of Independence, and the fifth anniversary of becoming a republic. Drawing parallels between the bill...

Features Newsday Reporter Friday 30 January 2026 – Horizons Art Gallery will present a one-day silent art auction, offering collectors and art enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire select original works from a private collection. – A media release said, the auction features notable local and regional artists, including Lisa O’Connor, Joanna Aldred, Colin Boothman, Shawn Peters, Ken Crichlow, Glen Roopchand, Sarah Beckett and more. – Attendees may view and bid on a carefully curated selection of artworks, selected for their quality and individuality. The silent auction format allows for a relaxed and thoughtful viewing experience, encouraging personal connection with each piece, the release said. – This intimate, one-day-only event invites both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers to engage with the artwork in a refined gallery setting and participate at their own pace. Space is limited, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to view the collection and place their bids....

Cada cierre de mes, los dueños de empresas enfrentan la misma pregunta: ¿estoy tomando decisiones con la información correcta? La respuesta casi siempre depende de los indicadores financieros internos, pero existe otro conjunto de datos, los macroeconómicos, que dice cómo está el entorno en el que opera la empresa. En este sentido, Freddy Vargas, analista financiero de VG Consultores, firma que acompaña a empresas costarricenses desde hace más de tres décadas, identifica cuáles son y por qué importan. “Las decisiones que se postergan porque ‘no entiendo de macro’ terminan costando más caro que cualquier asesoría”, dijo Vargas. 1. Tipo de cambio Costa Rica sigue siendo una economía altamente dolarizada, lo que significa que casi toda empresa tiene algún grado de exposición cambiaria en sus costos, ingresos o deuda. Una variación del 5% en el tipo de cambio puede mover el margen tanto como una campaña comercial entera. “El CEO ya...

BritCay celebrates its 40th Anniversary in 2025 (CNS): One of the Cayman Islands’ leading health insurance companies, Coralisle Medical Company Ltd, which operates locally as CG BritCay, is proposing to increase rates for the basic Standard Health Insurance Contract (SHIC) plan by around 25%, effective 1 July. However, the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) has the power to stop the increase if it determines that it is excessive, inadequate, unfairly discriminatory or unreasonable, and Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks has indicated that the NCFC government will resist the change. According to a release from the Ministry of Health, the proposed adjustment would increase premiums across all SHIC categories. Justifying the increase at this time, BritCay has pointed to the claims experience, healthcare cost trends and increased use of advanced medical services now available locally and that it is the first adjustment to its SHIC rates since 2013. However, the release noted the...