In brief
Fire commanders agree to expand CAS-BES cooperation
Fire commanders from Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands set joint priorities for 2027.
Thursday 5 November 2026
Everything we published that day, by section. Times are island time (AST).
16 storiesGovernment
3 stories
In brief
Aruba Parliament seeks Dutch explanation of Beatrix notes on Betico Croes
Aruba’s Parliament unanimously passed a motion asking the Netherlands to clarify 1983 notes by then Queen Beatrix about Betico Croes.
In brief
Doran seeks ministers’ review of annual St. Martin Culture Week
MP Egbert J. Doran has asked ECYS and TEATT to assess an annual St. Martin Culture Week, including costs, funding and implementation.
Crime & Court
1 storyIn brief
Police remove three children after reported shooting found false
KPSM said three children were removed from a residence on Tuesday 3 November after officers found unsafe conditions during a shooting inquiry.
Business
5 storiesIn brief
Commonwealth governments consider shared disaster insurance plan
A proposed Commonwealth Mutual reinsurance facility was presented to representatives of 42 governments in Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday 5 November.
In brief
CBCS fintech conference in Curaçao focused on digital finance and oversight
CBCS said its fourth annual fintech conference in Curaçao on Friday 30 October examined digital finance, regulation and consumer protection.
In brief
COCI, CCISM sign cross-border cooperation agreement
COCI and CCISM signed an agreement on Thursday 5 November to support cross-border business cooperation under existing laws.
In brief
Statia delegates join renewable energy workshop in St. Kitts and Nevis
Two St. Eustatius officials shared solar and battery-storage experience during a regional workshop on 27 and 28 October.
In brief
WIB reopens renovated Simpson Bay branch with digital banking help
WIB reopened its Simpson Bay branch on Tuesday 3 November, adding a space for customers to get help using online and mobile banking.
Community
7 storiesOfficial
FREEGAN Foundation holds focus group with 15 community members
FREEGAN Foundation said 15 community members joined a focus group on Thursday 5 November to discuss needs and services.
Official
Orco Bank volunteers support SMMC breast cancer screening
Orco Bank said its Sint Maarten team volunteered with St. Maarten Medical Center at a breast cancer screening on Saturday 31 October.
In brief
Rotary clubs provide 50 maternity baskets through island hospitals
Two Rotary clubs said they provided 50 maternity baskets to expectant mothers identified by hospitals on both sides of the island.
In brief
Twenty-five swimmers leave for OECS championships in Saint Lucia
Twenty-five St. Maarten swimmers left Thursday 5 November for the OECS Swimming Championships in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
In brief
Fifteen complete Statia hospitality training programme
Fifteen participants completed Statia hospitality training after assessments from 26 to 30 October 2026, Region Deal Statia said.
In brief
Tadzio Bervoets links reef protection to public health at Barbados conference
Tadzio Bervoets told a Barbados conference on 27 and 28 October that coral reef protection is tied to Caribbean health and livelihoods.
In brief
Learning Unlimited summit brings educators from Sint Maarten and Anguilla together
Learning Unlimited Preparatory School said every Sint Maarten school board joined its 2 November professional-development summit.
