Electricity & Tariffs: BEL says higher bills are driven by hotter weather and GST threshold effects, not smart meters. The PUC is also set to test a Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA) system in a regulatory sandbox so bills can reflect actual power costs with monthly PUC-approved changes. Energy Security: BEL warns drought and Mexico outages could strain supply, with possible extra spending to cover reduced hydro output. Ambergris Caye Power Upgrade: BEL eyes a major San Pedro upgrade using MCC funding, including a plan to relieve overloading on the island’s supply cable. MCC Compact Update: Belize signed modified terms preserving the US$125m MCC grant, shifting US$20m from education to energy and enabling expanded grid investment. SmartStream Governance: The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry urges tighter controls in government’s SmartStream procurement and payment processing, pushing for alerts, audit trails, and stronger access separation. Insurance Fraud Controls: ORNCO launched Claims Vault, a shared digital platform to improve claims handling and reduce fraudulent claims. Tourism & Connectivity: BermudAir announced new routes that add Belize and Guatemala to its Caribbean network. Logistics Trade: Belize temporarily suspended EU-bound parcel shipments after EU duty-free de minimis changes. STEM & Skills: Belize showcased “Robotics as a Sport” at a Caribbean STEM summit, reinforcing its push for youth tech training. Community Development: SIF secured major CDB funding for its next Basic Needs Trust Fund cycle, targeting vulnerable communities.