Blue Belt Boost for Montserrat: Montserrat has officially joined the UK’s Blue Belt marine conservation programme, committing to protect at least 20% of its maritime zone and gaining access to scientific expertise to set up Marine Protected Areas, improve fisheries management, and modernise marine laws. Volcano Watch: The Montserrat Volcano Observatory says the Soufrière Hills volcano remains in a state of unrest, with monitoring showing ground inflation, volcanic gas emissions, and increased seismic activity despite no eruption since 2010. Pension Reform Begins: Government has started a comprehensive pension reform programme, aiming for a more modern, transparent, and sustainable system and moving toward a defined contribution model, supported by a 17-member committee and international technical help from TELUS Health. Hurricane Season Prep: With the Atlantic season underway, officials stress that modern tech helps preparedness, but power loss can still cut off phones and alerts—so households should plan for backup power and offline essentials. Local Business Funding: Montserrat is seeking more money for the MBPF Soft Loan Programme after fully deploying its initial EC$2 million, with 39 loans approved across 11 sectors and no defaults reported. Tech & Payments for Entrepreneurs: Sendana, a borderless banking platform for freelancers and entrepreneurs, is gaining traction across the Caribbean by enabling easier access to overseas payments via a virtual US dollar account. Public Service Hiring Challenges: A summit of British Overseas Territories highlighted recruitment difficulties for civil service roles, with Montserrat among the territories discussing how to make public careers more attractive.