175 Students Sickened by Food Poisoning During University Orientation Week

At least three Dutch nationals are missing following devastating floods in Nepal, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen announced Friday ahead of a cabinet meeting. The floods have caused widespread destruction across Nepal, with the full scale of the disaster still being assessed. It remains unclear how many Dutch citizens are currently in the affected regions of Nepal. Berendsen indicated that Dutch authorities are actively working to determine the whereabouts and safety of their nationals. The situation is being closely monitored by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as rescue and relief operations continue on the ground. The news holds relevance for the Dutch Caribbean, including Curaçao, as many residents maintain close ties with the Netherlands and its citizens abroad.

A significant number of classrooms across Curaçao continue to operate without air conditioning, according to responses from three major school boards — DOS, RKCS, and VPCO — as reported by local evening newspaper Amigoe. The issue affects students and teachers who must endure Curaçao's tropical heat during the school day, raising concerns about learning conditions and well-being. The problem appears widespread rather than isolated, cutting across multiple school networks on the island. The three school boards that responded represent a broad cross-section of Curaçao's education system, encompassing public and various faith-based institutions. The lack of climate control in classrooms is a long-standing infrastructure challenge that highlights ongoing funding and maintenance gaps in the island's education sector. No specific timeline or government commitment to resolve the situation was mentioned in the report.

Four healthcare institutions on Curaçao have received new patient lift systems, improving mobility assistance for residents and patients. Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Tyron Boekhoudt of the MFK party visited the facilities on Thursday to oversee the official handover. The institutions receiving the equipment are Betesda, Hamied, Birgen di Rosario, and Kas Hugenholtz. Patient lifts are essential tools in care settings, helping staff safely transfer individuals with limited mobility and reducing the risk of injury to both caregivers and patients. The handover represents a tangible government investment in the quality of long-term and residential care on the island.