Circular Economy & Innovation: Route 27 in Costa Rica is launching an open innovation challenge to tackle landfill pressure, aiming to reuse more of the roughly 27 tons of highway waste it generates each month, with a focus on tires and plastics; the winning project can receive up to €20,000 to build a working prototype for circular-economy reuse. OECS Child Policy: The OECS, with UNICEF support, has unveiled a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032, built through input from children, parents and stakeholders, with a “whole-of-the-child” goal that by 2032 every child across the OECS feels valued, safe and empowered. Caribbean Mobile Growth: A new GSMA report says 5G is set to rise from 10% of Caribbean mobile connections today to 23% by 2030, but warns that regulatory upgrades and spectrum access are needed to close an investment gap and avoid a widening digital divide. Banking & Governance: Bank of Montserrat will hold its 32nd Annual General Meeting on August 19, 2026 at 5 p.m. at the Brades Arts and Education Centre, with virtual participation available for registered shareholders. Tourism & Connectivity: Seabourn has opened bookings for its winter 2028–29 Caribbean season, including itineraries that call at small ports such as Little Bay (Montserrat). Visa-Free Travel: From January 1, 2027, Nigerians will be able to enter Chad and the Republic of the Congo without entry visas as both countries move toward broader African free movement.