Former MP Alan Howell Sentenced: Aruba’s Joint Court of Justice upheld Howell’s embezzlement and forgery conviction, sentencing him to 23 months in prison (six suspended) plus a 35,000 florin fine, with 15,000 florins forfeited; Howell says he will pursue cassation at the Supreme Court. Kingdom Visit: Dutch State Secretary Eric van der Burg is set to visit Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao (July 13–17) to discuss Kingdom cooperation, economic development and nature conservation. Justice & Public Safety: MPs are pressing hard on the KIA prison crisis, with Eduard Pieters warning conditions are unsafe and calling for immediate action, while other lawmakers question missing security systems and transparency around KIA spending. Social Assistance Law: MEP Hendrik Tevreden requests an urgent parliamentary meeting over rules that could cut benefits for social assistance recipients staying abroad beyond four weeks, even for medical or humanitarian reasons. Fire Service Upgrades: The Aruba Fire Department received a new ladder-truck training boost—40 firefighters are now certified to operate the ladder truck. Local Governance & Economy: Aruba’s fuel prices drop again as the government continues part of a subsidy to cushion consumers from international oil swings. Connectivity: Wingo launched new year-round service between Aruba and Colombia (Barranquilla), with a seasonal Bucaramanga route also underway. Sports Administration: Aruba Lotto appointed William Erasmus as CEO effective Aug. 1, and the football “FIFA Forward 7 Turf Project” broke ground at Bubali.