Curaçao Parliament Agrees to New Process for 2027 Budget Review

A majority in Curaçao's Parliament (Staten) is pushing for an independent investigation into the management and supervisory board of state-owned company 2Bays, according to the Antilliaans Dagblad. The move signals significant parliamentary concern over how the government-owned entity is being led. 2Bays is a public company operating in Curaçao, and questions about the conduct of its executives and commissioners have prompted lawmakers to seek outside scrutiny. An independent investigation would go beyond internal oversight, suggesting that Parliament does not trust existing governance structures to self-regulate. The call reflects broader tensions around accountability and transparency in the management of government-owned enterprises on the island. No timeline for the investigation has been publicly announced, but the parliamentary majority backing the initiative gives it considerable political weight.

The government of Curaçao has issued a ministerial decree expanding the mandate of the Education Council (Onderwijsraad) to ensure it represents both types of publicly funded schools: regular foundation schools and special foundation schools. The decision aims to guarantee broader representation within the council's advisory structure. The new regulation also introduces additional requirements for how the council formulates its recommendations. The move reflects an effort to make educational governance more inclusive and equitable across different school types on the island. By formally broadening the council's scope, the government seeks to ensure that policy advice and recommendations adequately address the needs of students in special education settings as well.

Chinese artist Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday after a court found his artwork insulting to the reputation of Chinese heroes and martyrs. Gao is known for provocative works that have previously drawn scrutiny from Chinese authorities. The charges fall under a Chinese law enacted in 2018 that criminalizes the defamation of national heroes and revolutionary figures, including Mao Zedong. The case has drawn international attention from free speech advocates and artists who view the prosecution as part of a broader crackdown on creative expression in China. The verdict underscores the tightening of political and cultural controls under President Xi Jinping's government. Gao's sentencing is being widely reported as a warning to other artists who challenge official historical narratives in China.