Trump's '52nd state' joke pushes Iceland closer to EU membership

A French military platoon from Martinique concluded a training exercise in Curaçao this week, strengthening defense ties between French and Dutch Caribbean forces. The soldiers belong to the 2nd Company of the 33rd Marine Infantry Regiment (33 RIMA), based at Fort Desaix in Martinique. The exercise reflects ongoing efforts to enhance military cooperation between France and the Netherlands in the Caribbean region. Joint training activities like this are part of broader regional security partnerships among neighboring island nations. The conclusion of the exercise marks a successful collaboration between the French and Dutch military presences in the Lesser Antilles.

A public parliamentary session in Curaçao scheduled to discuss proposed legislation introducing a minimum tax on multinational companies has been postponed until next Tuesday, September 1. The decision to delay was made to allow the Minister of Finance additional time to prepare an amendment note on the draft legislation. The minimum tax proposal is part of a broader global push — aligned with OECD guidelines — to ensure large multinational corporations pay a baseline level of tax regardless of where they operate. The postponement signals that the government is still refining key details of the bill before presenting it to lawmakers. The outcome of this legislation could have significant implications for Curaçao's attractiveness as a business and financial services hub. No specific reason beyond the minister's need for preparation time was cited for the delay.

During a public parliamentary session in Willemstad, Curaçao, the Director of Fiscal Affairs, Runela Sillé, delivered a technical explanation of a proposed law to introduce a minimum tax on the island. The legislation is based on the Dutch minimum tax law and is specifically designed to apply to companies classified as multinationals. Sillé outlined the key provisions and scope of the draft law to members of Parliament. The introduction of a minimum tax aligns with broader international efforts, led by the OECD, to ensure large multinational corporations pay a baseline level of tax regardless of where they operate. For Curaçao, the move signals a significant shift in its corporate tax framework and could have implications for the island's attractiveness as a business and financial services hub. The public parliamentary meeting underscores the government's commitment to transparency in rolling out this major fiscal reform.