Water & Utilities Costs: Saint Lucians and businesses are set for phased water and sewerage tariff hikes after NURC approved new WASCO rates, with hotels and marine vessels facing the steepest increases and WASCO placed under tighter oversight for infrastructure delivery. Tourism Planning Meets Infrastructure: NURC chief Skeeta Gibbs warned that tourism growth must not outpace utility planning, pushing utilities into investment and land-use conversations from the start. Tourism Marketing Push: SLTA announced a multi-year global partnership with Arsenal FC, naming Saint Lucia the club’s official destination partner from 2026-27 and linking the deal to youth academy development and global visibility. Agriculture & Food Security: Taiwan-backed Seven Crops Project training boosted Saint Lucian farmers with advanced guava grafting, while an irrigation rehabilitation in Chassin improved reliable water access for growers. Community & Environment: The Green Champions Challenge kicks off with school-led collection of e-waste and aluminum cans, supported by local businesses and SLSWMA. Industry & Compliance: IRD and ECCO signed an MOU to strengthen tax compliance and protect music rights through data sharing and enforcement cooperation. Business Climate: The Chamber of Commerce highlighted strategy execution and business-ease hurdles, urging better accountability and smoother operations. Citizenship by Investment Scrutiny: Experts say currency volatility and stricter compliance checks are the biggest hurdles for CBI applicants. Local Resource Debate: Officials and residents are clashing over the Roseau River sand and aggregate project, with critics calling it “quarry number two” despite claims of tighter safeguards.