Simpson Bay:---  Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V. (PJIAE) proudly joined the celebration of the 66th St. Maarten’s Day, beginning the morning with participation in the Around-the-Island Relay Race. This marked the first time an official PJIAE team took part in the island’s beloved community event, demonstrating teamwork, pride, and the airport’s strong connection to the wider St. Maarten community.
Following the early morning race, celebrations continued at the airport terminal, where both arriving passengers and PJIAE employees were treated to freshly prepared Johnny Cakes and the uplifting sounds of steel pan music. Ladies dressed in traditional attire warmly welcomed travelers, creating a vibrant and authentic display of St. Maarten’s culture and hospitality.

The day’s activities were coordinated by Devon Skeete from our Commercial Department, with the Corporate Communications Department leading the organization and ensuring a memorable and festive atmosphere for all.

“It is always our pleasure to engage our guests and valued employees through meaningful cultural
expressions,” stated the PJIAE Corporate Communications Department. “As the gateway to our island,
we take great pride in showcasing the warmth and traditions that define St. Maarten, the Friendly
Island.”

Princess Juliana International Airport remains committed to fostering community spirit and celebrating the cultural identity that unites its staff, passengers, and the people of St. Maarten

The publication of a new study, Mapping Caribbean Researchers, reveals a vibrant yet often overlooked community of researchers and knowledge professionals connected to the six islands of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius.

The study, conducted by local researchers Renske Pin and Steffen van Heijningen with financial support from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), shows that the region represents a true treasure chest of researchers and academic knowledge. This knowledge community is not limited to the islands themselves but extends into a broad and active diaspora.

Nearly 400 researchers participated in the online survey. The topics and content of the questionnaire were co-defined through focus group sessions with more than 70 local academics and knowledge professionals, who jointly identified the main themes relevant for strengthening and making visible the Caribbean research community.

The findings reveal a large, diverse, and highly educated field. No less than 38% of respondents hold a PhD, 13% are currently pursuing one, and another 22% intend to start a PhD trajectory. The community includes not only university-based researchers but also independent scholars, visiting academics, and members of the Caribbean diaspora who remain actively engaged with the islands.

The results highlight a community with high geographical mobility, multilingualism, and cultural diversity. Researchers often work across islands and borders, maintain close ties with both the Netherlands and the Caribbean region, and cover a wide range of disciplines—from social development, culture, and education to health, governance, and the environment. Much of their work is practice-oriented and socially impactful.

At the same time, the study identifies several structural challenges that constrain the continuity and impact of research, such as limited access to funding, data, and institutional support, insecure employment and income conditions (low income levels, with only 50% having a pension plan), high travel and logistics costs, and barriers to building sustainable collaborations.

The researchers therefore advocate for a Caribbean Researchers Portal—a digital platform that improves the visibility and accessibility of researchers and their work, facilitates collaboration, and strengthens the Caribbean knowledge ecosystem.

Pin and Van Heijningen express their sincere gratitude to the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations for the financial support of this special project, which contributes to strengthening knowledge about and within the Kingdom. According to the researchers, such knowledge is not only important for the islands themselves, but also for the quality of policymaking within the Kingdom. “We found an incredible reservoir of expertise—highly educated, internationally oriented researchers deeply rooted in their communities. With modest but targeted investments in coordination, funding, and digital infrastructure, this ecosystem could make an even greater contribution to policy and knowledge development across the Kingdom,” the researchers note.

The report concludes that strengthening local and regional knowledge infrastructures is essential for an inclusive and sustainable future. Read the summary and results at: www.tinyurl.com/ReportMappingCaribResearchers

PHILIPSBURG:--- On November 9, 2025, members of the Alpha Team stationed at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) arrested a female suspect identified as R.M.N., 58 years of age, who was born in Cameroon.
The suspect was found in possession of a false passport from Guatemala, which she used to travel to Sint Maarten. She was taken into custody and remains detained pending the ongoing investigation.
The Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBP), in collaboration with the Alpha Team, continue to scrutinize and investigate cases involving falsified travel documents carefully. These joint efforts aim to ensure the integrity of Sint Maarten’s borders and the safety of all travelers.
The investigation into this matter is ongoing.

KPSM Press Release.

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad:--- Vincent A. Pereira, Chairman of Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL), announced today that the Group achieved a profit attributable to equity holders of US$329 million for the year ended September 30, 2025. This is an increase of US$29 million or 9.7% over the 2024 reported profit of US$300 million, driven by sustained loan growth, prudent risk management, and improved operational efficiency.

In presenting the results, Mr. Pereira said, “For the past financial year, the Republic Financial Holdings Limited Group has delivered record results, strengthened its balance sheet, and deepened relationships with our customers and communities. Despite a dynamic and often challenging global and regional economic environment, the Group’s exceptional year has been one of strong performance, disciplined execution, and meaningful progress in advancing our strategic priorities.”

Based on these results, the Board of Directors has declared a final dividend of US$0.58 per share, bringing the total dividend to US$0.90 per share for the fiscal year (2024: US$0.85), an increase of 5.3% or US$0.05, over the previous year. With a closing share price of US$15.96, this equates to a dividend yield of 5.63% (2024: 5.09%) and a total annual dividend payment of US$147 million (2024: US$140 million). The final dividend will be paid on December 5, 2025, to shareholders on record as of November 21, 2025.

Mr. Pereira added, “RFHL’s capital and liquidity positions remain robust, providing a solid foundation for continued growth and innovation, and our capital adequacy ratios remain robust across all sixteen countries where we operate and at the consolidated level.”

He went on to say, “Throughout the year, we continued to execute on our strategic priorities, enhancing customer experience, accelerating digital transformation, and embedding sustainability and good governance at the core of our operations. We also recognise that our success is really measured by the positive impact we create in the communities we serve. Through our social investment programs and partnerships, we continued to support national communities, youth development, and small business growth, helping to build more inclusive and resilient economies everywhere we operate.”

“Looking ahead”, Mr. Pereira noted, “While global uncertainties and market volatility will persist, we remain confident in our ability to navigate change and seize new opportunities. Our strategic focus remains clear; to deliver sustainable value to our shareholders, provide exceptional service to our customers, and foster a culture of integrity, innovation, and inclusion across the organization.”

Mr. Pereira closed with an expression of gratitude saying, “On behalf of the Board, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to our management team and employees for their commitment, dedication and professionalism, and to our customers and shareholders for their continued trust and support. Together, we look forward to another year of progress, growth, and shared success.