PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) says up to four in 10 cancer cases worldwide could be prevented, according to a new global analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO) and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The study examines 30 preventable causes, including tobacco, alcohol, high body mass index, physical inactivity, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and, for the first time, nine cancer-causing infections.
The analysis estimates that 37% of all new cancer cases in 2022, around 7.1 million cases, were linked to preventable causes. The findings highlight the enormous potential of prevention in reducing the global cancer burden.
Drawing on data from 185 countries and 36 cancer types, the study identifies tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer, globally responsible for 15% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections (10%) and alcohol consumption (3%).
Three cancer types – lung, stomach and cervical cancer – accounted for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases in both men and women, globally.
Lung cancer was primarily linked to smoking and air pollution, stomach cancer was largely attributable to Helicobacter pylori infection, and cervical cancer was overwhelmingly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

According to the WHO, this is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent.
The burden of preventable cancer based on the global study was substantially higher in men than in women, with 45% of new cancer cases in men compared with 30% in women.
The study revealed that in men, smoking accounted for an estimated 23% of all new cancer cases, followed by infections at 9% and alcohol at 4%.
Among women globally, infections accounted for 11% of all new cancer cases, followed by smoking at 6% and high body mass index at 3%.
CPS advises members of the community to consult with their physician to determine prevention strategies. Cancer mortality is reduced when cases are detected and treated early. There are two components of early detection: early diagnosis and screening.

MARIGOT:--- The Collectivity of Saint Martin hereby informs the public that the Funeral Service is going into the last phase of the grave identification campaign within the various public cemeteries. The deadline is set for June 30th, 2026.

 As part of the restructuring of our cemeteries and to better preserve our memory sites, a campaign to identify graves will resume. Remembering loved ones and identifying their tomb is essential to organizing our local cemeteries and preserving memorial sites.

This identification campaign has several objectives:

- Identifying anonymous and abandoned graves

- Informing and assisting families in identifying the graves of their deceased loved ones

- Creating a database to establish a public registry, allowing everyone to find information about the deceased and their graves.

- Identifying particularly old graves of historical interest and highlight public figures resting there.

During this last phase, the on-site identification sessions are scheduled only by appointment from Monday to Friday by contacting the funeral department of the Collectivité:

• by phone: 0590 87 50 04 extension 2004
• by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The following documents enabling the identification process should also be presented:

- A copy of the death certificate and/or burial permit

- A copy of proof of identity of the person who will carry out the identification

All citizens are encouraged to collaborate with the Funeral Service on this identification campaign process, which will contribute to the enhancement of our shared heritage.

For additional information, the funeral department of the Collectivité can be reached:

• by phone: 0590 87 50 04 extension 2004 or 0690 76 10 77 / 0690 77 40 59 / 0690 59 09 67
• by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kralendijk:--- On February 23, 2026, the Board of Financial Supervision of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (Cft) visited Bonaire. During this visit, the management of government entities was the focal point. The Cft urges Bonaire to determine and implement an official policy aimed at government entities. Furthermore, Bonaire must invest in lasting improvements to financial management and prioritize strengthening executive capacity within the organization.

Government entities: from note to implementation
Not everything is in order at Bonaire’s government companies, which is illustrated by the persistent issues at Selibon and Tourism Corporation Bonaire. Therefore, work is currently carried out based on an internal policy note aimed at improving the management of government entities. The Cft recognizes this is a good first step. Bonaire must further elaborate on this and convert it into official policy determined by the Executive Council in consultation with the Island Council. In that context, it is important to implement safeguards to ensure that the appointment of members of the directions and Supervisory Boards takes place in an independent manner. In doing so, a clear and verifiable framework is created for the management of government entities. “Good policy for government entities is the basis for clear accountability of public resources for public tasks”, states the Cft. Furthermore, it helps to enhance Bonaire’s executive capacity. The Cft urges the Executive Council to establish and implement such a policy in the short term.

Financial management
The Cft again draws attention to financial management. Over the past years, Bonaire has taken important steps in the improvement of financial management. From late 2024 to mid 2025, the Cft observed a decline, but since then, the upward trend has resumed. Further and lasting enhancement of financial management still remains necessary, now that it has become clear that Bonaire substantially increased its 2025 budget towards the end of the year, while still closing the year with under-realization. Furthermore, 2025 was also closed with a preliminary deficit, without any further explanation.

Earlier, the Executive Council promised to take specific measures to enhance the quality of budget and financial management, in order to be able to adjust the implementation of the budget at an earlier stage. This is not only important for the regular budget, but even more so for the special benefits, many of which are close to expiring and may even be recovered. During its most recent trip, the Board stated that Bonaire must become more in control.

The Cft will closely monitor these promises made regarding the measures for the enhancement of financial management. The Executive Council has promised that these will lead to improvements as early as in April of this year.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently investigating an armed robbery that occurred this morning, Thursday, February 26th, 2026, at approximately 11:20 AM. The incident took place at the Public Supermarket located on Aaron Jacobs Drive.
According to preliminary reports, an armed individual entered the establishment and demanded the daily earnings from the cash register. After securing an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction. Police patrols were immediately dispatched to the area to conduct a search; however, the suspect remains at large.
The investigation into this continues. The KPSM urges anyone with information regarding this robbery to contact the police station or the anonymous tip line.