Labour & Skills Crunch: Belize is seeing a growing shortage of manual workers, with construction, agriculture, services and tourism all reporting vacancies they can’t fill, pushing demand for work permits and visa approvals. Labour Law Modernization: The Ministry of Labour is convening stakeholders to update Belize’s outdated Labour Act, aiming for a fairer, more current framework for workers and employers. Cost of Living Pressure: April inflation hit 2.9%, driven hardest by transport costs after diesel and gasoline jumped; food and electricity also rose, and dining out is getting pricier. Electricity Bills Explained: Public Utilities says higher bills are tied to increased consumption during the dry-season heat and Belize’s reliance on imported power from Mexico. Hurricane Readiness: Cabinet approved measures ahead of the June 1 start of the Atlantic season, urging households and businesses to refresh emergency plans. Agriculture Push: The Agriculture Ministry is distributing fertilizer, fruit trees and planting materials in southern districts, while also moving to revive the citrus industry. BPO Workplace Focus: The Labour Ministry is seeking stronger oversight and collaboration with the BPO sector amid complaints about call-centre working conditions. Transport Modernization Tension: The Belize Bus Association wants a role in the electric bus pilot, saying independent operators have been left out of hands-on testing. San Pedro Hospital Delays & Costs: Construction is progressing but costs are rising beyond the original Taiwan-funded budget, raising questions about who covers overruns. Coastal Challenge: Sargassum remains a major threat for San Pedro, with officials warning this year could be as bad as last year.