Electricity Security & Relief: Cabinet approved an emergency declaration to let BEL procure extra generation ahead of a projected 2027 shortfall, alongside expanding the Social Rate eligibility from 60 kWh to 80 kWh to ease bills for about 17,000 residential customers. Power Shortfall Updates: BEL says recent outages came from peak evening demand outstripping available local generation, worsened by temporary CFE supply reductions, and it has requested a formal emergency declaration to support emergency generation procurement. University of Belize Hospital Bids: Two companies submitted bids for the long-awaited Belmopan tertiary hospital (150-bed, teaching facility) after bid reviews, with hopes to move into contract signing and start construction by late 2026. Healthcare Workforce Push: The Ministry of Health and Wellness awarded 67 scholarships across nursing, medicine, psychiatry and biomedical engineering, backed by a BZ$2.5M investment. Agriculture & Food Resilience: Belize’s National Meteorological Service warns of drier-than-normal conditions and drought risk tied to El Niño, with knock-on effects for hydropower, health, crops and fisheries; meanwhile Orange Walk farmers trained in integrated pest management for cabbage pests. Cacao Export Milestone: Maya Mountain Cacao says its final 2026 Belizean cacao container is on the way to the U.S., with the EU shipment following next week, marking the close of the export season. Local Industry Spotlight: Green Clean says it’s Belize-made and sold nationwide, positioning locally manufactured household cleaners as a way to keep spending and jobs in-country. Tourism Tax Debate: Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler pushed back on a proposed hotel accommodation tax increase, saying discussions have been underway for nearly two years and tying the issue to the urgent need to fund sargassum response equipment. Illegal Seafood Seizure: Fisheries officers and police arrested two men after seizing hundreds of pounds of suspected illegally imported seafood, warning that unpermitted imports raise food safety and biosecurity risks. Labour Day in the Region: Bermuda’s Labour Day banquet is sold out, with Belizean politician and artist Shyne Barrow set as keynote speaker.