Water Crisis in Havana: President Miguel Díaz-Canel set a deadline for the first measurable improvements to the capital’s water supply, saying results should start by the end of September in “two or three” key systems, with more sources consolidated in October and a longer-term push toward renewable-energy solutions before year’s end. US Sanctions Tighten the Squeeze: The U.S. Treasury announced new Cuba-linked sanctions targeting Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis and Banco Exterior de Cuba, plus energy and oil-related firms tied to keeping the power grid running, as blackouts and fuel shortages worsen. Power Grid Reality Check: In Holguín, officials inspected a 50 MW battery storage project, but residents immediately questioned timelines and whether the scale matches the island’s massive electricity deficit. School Year Under Strain: A Cuban singer’s satirical song captured the start of the school year’s shortages—ill-fitting uniforms, missing snacks, students printing books, and frequent power cuts—while families struggle to make it through. Humanitarian and Rights Pressure: A Texas court order reportedly allowed ICE to force-feed a Cuban hunger striker, raising fresh alarms about treatment in detention. Everyday Adaptation: A CNN profile highlighted how Cubans are using solar-powered tricycles, rechargeable fans, and DIY fixes to cope with the oil blockade and rolling blackouts. Education Assessment in the Region: UNESCO is preparing ERCE 2025 results, with Cuba among participating countries, to compare learning outcomes across Latin America and the Caribbean. Deportations to the Caribbean: Guyana said it received the first group of six deportees from the U.S. under a third-country system, including Cubans, after vetting and immigration processing.