SZV launches 'dependable hugs' for insured newborns

Students from St. Maarten have won the CBCS Best Economic Research Award for the first time in the competition's history, marking a significant milestone for the island's academic community. The Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS) presented the award, with St. Maarten Director Nicole Marlin on hand to honor the winning students. The CBCS research award is a prestigious regional competition that encourages young economists across the Kingdom of the Netherlands' Caribbean territories to engage with economic issues relevant to their islands. St. Maarten's first-ever win signals growing academic strength and economic literacy among the island's youth. The achievement is seen as an important development for the island, which has been working to rebuild and strengthen its institutions following the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017. The win is expected to inspire more students on the island to pursue careers in economics and research.

St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) has launched a new website at www.smgh.sx as part of its ongoing transition to the newly named St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH), located in Cay Hill. The new digital platform signals a rebranding effort tied to the hospital's institutional evolution. The website is intended to serve as a central online resource for patients, staff, and the broader St. Maarten community. This transition reflects efforts to modernize the island's primary healthcare institution following years of rebuilding since Hurricane Irma devastated infrastructure in 2017. The launch of the new site is one of several steps being taken to align the hospital's public identity with its new name and direction. The move is expected to improve communication between the hospital and residents seeking medical information and services.

St. Maarten marked Caribbean Literature Day with an event that spotlighted the growth of literary voices and a strengthening culture of reading across the region. A key feature of the occasion was a Children's Literature Authors panel, which brought together writers dedicated to producing literature for young audiences. The panel is oriented toward 2026, suggesting forward-looking programming aimed at cultivating the next generation of readers and writers. The event reflects a broader regional effort to celebrate Caribbean storytelling, cultural identity, and literary arts. Caribbean Literature Day serves as an annual platform for authors, educators, and communities to engage with books and ideas rooted in the Caribbean experience. The inclusion of a children's literature focus underscores the importance placed on early literacy and nurturing young readers in St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean.