Digital Government: Cuba is upgrading its Soberanía digital government platform with UNDP and China support, adding more online services like civil registry and passport processing, while pushing digital literacy and aiming to improve access for women, older adults and people with disabilities. Public Safety: In Kingston’s Trench Town, residents protested after police fatally shot Ralston Weir (“Johnny Five”) during an operation; the community questioned the police account and cited an Independent Commission of Investigations report. Water Crisis: Jamaica’s drought is driving up costs for water-dependent businesses in the Corporate Area as the National Water Commission enforces water-use restrictions, with some operators trucking water and passing added expenses to customers. Roads & School Readiness: Hanover schools are preparing for the new academic year, but Mount Hannah Primary says extremely poor roads are blocking delivery of desks and chairs, forcing the school to hire a truck. Tourism Tech: Google’s AI Mode is rolling out hotel booking in one conversational flow, which could reshape how Jamaicans and visitors plan and reserve trips. Trade & Jobs: China’s imports to Jamaica are nearing US$1 billion, and JSEZA is pushing value-added opportunities—assembling components and using local skills—rather than trying to manufacture everything from scratch. Infrastructure Planning: Port Authority of Jamaica has opened a tender for design studies for a mixed-use port at Yallahs (St Thomas) and a marina at Lucea (Hanover), with submissions due Sept. 9. Business: Wendy’s Jamaica says it invested $200 million to open a new West Cumberland location in Portmore, creating jobs for 34 Jamaicans.