Electricity affordability lessons: MPs Omar Ottley and Viren Kotai visited WEB in Aruba to study how Aruba’s electricity pricing works, including how fuel costs are built into the rate—an approach they say could offer practical lessons for St. Maarten without simple copying. Battery storage push: WEB has started work on BESS II, a 35 MW / 70 MWh battery expected to be the Caribbean’s largest, aimed at stabilizing the grid and boosting renewable energy use by storing wind and solar power. Maritime flag fraud crackdown: New data shows 22 ships still falsely claiming Curaçao registration, alongside dozens tied to improper Aruba and Sint Maarten claims—highlighting ongoing shadow-fleet risks for the Kingdom’s waters. Climate finance uncertainty: The Netherlands’ Scientific Climate Council is putting “Climate and the Kingdom” on its agenda, questioning who pays for climate adaptation in Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten as Dutch support is described as fragmented and temporary. Regional health security: Caribbean public health and lab professionals met in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen respiratory virus surveillance and diagnostics, including for influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Tourism access & protected areas: Aruba tour operators asked for alternative routes during talks tied to a legal case involving Arikok National Park access, raising stakes for both communities and the tourism sector.