Newsdesk | Monday February 16, 2026 - “Taxes, Trials, and Tough Questions”

KPSM urges motorists to exercise greater caution following a series of serious traffic accidents. Fiscal policy also takes a dramatic turn, with Minister Gumbs announcing moves to abolish inheritance and land taxes—potentially reshaping the island’s revenue structure and investment climate. Regional cooperation strengthens as Kadaster St. Maarten and Kadaster Netherlands formalize collaboration through a Letter of Intent, while the Jasmine case continues to unfold, with the defense challenging bribery allegations against former Minister Emmanuel. In Kingdom relations, a historic meeting with incoming Prime Minister Rob Jetten signals calls for deeper and more strategic collaboration. Meanwhile, the Freegan Food Foundation faces an urgent transition, required to vacate its headquarters by July and appealing for community support. The episode closes with a difficult but necessary question: was the fatal police shooting in St. Peters preventable? We end on a regional note as Barbados advances toward electoral reform, reflecting broader democratic shifts across the Caribbean.