EU Overseas Policy: Development MEPs in Strasbourg backed stronger EU support for Greenland and other Overseas Countries and Territories, calling for more funding plus democratic oversight, with local communities to be consulted on critical raw materials. Caribbean Resilience Research: A new study on Chinese presence across Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten finds growing economic and social activity but little sign of stronger Chinese state influence, while stressing the islands’ dependence on external actors like energy, digital infrastructure, logistics, tourism and security. Aruba Conservation & Nature: The Aruba Conservation Foundation opened a new Conservation Management Office in Arikok National Park, and its Nature Speaks program focused on ecological restoration and how nature can recover. Health & Waste: Aruba faces a medical waste backlog of about 400,000 kg as the island prepares system modernization, including new equipment and plans to modernize operations. Tourism Rules: Tour Operators Uni and United Tour Operators submitted nature protocols proposing clearly marked routes, GPS monitoring, speed limits, penalties, and native tree planting to tighten UTV/ATV access along the northern coast. Connectivity: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway into the development phase, targeting service by end-2029 with a trunk from Cayenne to Martinique/Guadeloupe and a western leg serving Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire.