PHILIPSBURG:--- The Plenary of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL) unanimously elected James Finies as the new President of the COPPPAL Decolonization Committee.
COPPPAL brings together 80 political parties from 30 countries and is headquartered in Mexico City, the capital of the United Mexican States.
In recognition of Finies international and worldwide advocacy concerning Bonaire and other Caribbean territories administered by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the 43rd COPPPAL Plenary Meeting appointed James Finies to chair the Decolonization Committee.
The Committee's mandate is to promote dialogue and international attention on decolonization issues relating to Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius (Statia), and Saba, as well as matters concerning Puerto Rico and the Malvinas (Falkland Islands).
During its plenary session at the former Senate building of Mexico, COPPPAL reaffirmed its longstanding position opposing colonialism in all its forms.
The organization encouraged continued discussion of these issues within the United Nations and other international forums and expressed its support for ongoing international engagement regarding Bonaire and other non-self-governing territorial matters.
COPPPAL also reiterated its solidarity with Puerto Rico and reaffirmed Argentina's position regarding the Malvinas (Falkland Islands).
As part of the plenary program, James Finies addressed delegates from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and Asia on contemporary decolonization issues.
In his presentation, he highlighted concerns regarding the protection of Bonaire's cultural identity, the implementation of international legal standards, and the importance of ensuring that matters relating to the island continue to receive appropriate international attention through established multilateral mechanisms.
James Finies also drew special attention to what he described as the increasing marginalization of the people of Bonaire through institutionally steered laws and policies resulting into significant demographic changes over recent years.
Finies noted concerns that the proportion of the island's natives and long-established local population has steadily systematically declined as a minority percentage of the total population, raising important questions about the ongoing erasure of Bonaire's cultural heritage, identity, language, and meaningful participation in public affairs.
James Finies emphasized that these developments warrant continued dialogue and consideration within the framework of applicable international standards and the United Nations decolonization process.
Xtratight Entertainment and St. Maarten Little League Association Announce Exclusive Community Partnership.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten Xtratight Entertainment and the St. Maarten Little League Association are proud to announce a new exclusive partnership that combines community entertainment with youth sports development, creating a long-term collaboration designed to benefit generations of young athletes while transforming the Erwin " Richardson Little League Stadium into a vibrant community destination.
Under the agreement, Xtratight Entertainment becomes the Association's exclusive entertainment partner, bringing professionally produced community events and family-friendly experiences to the stadium while making annual goodwill contributions that
directly support facility improvements and youth baseball initiatives.
For Xtratight Entertainment, the partnership represents more than securing a venue for future events. It reflects the organization's commitment to investing in the community while creating new opportunities for local families to experience the stadium in a different way.
"As an event organizer, we have been looking for the right partner to expand our outdoor event experiences," said Rude Fleming. "The Little League Stadium has a rich history. Years ago it hosted concerts, festivals and community gatherings. We believe it is time to bring
that energy back while creating opportunities that directly benefit youth sports. Baseball played a huge role in my childhood, and this partnership allows us to make sports exciting again while giving back in a meaningful way."
The collaboration is structured around Xtratight Entertainment's Community Goodwill Initiative, in which entertainment serves as a vehicle for community investment. "Our partnership with Xtratight Entertainment represents a strategic investment in the long-term growth of youth baseball in St. Maarten," said Michel Hyman, President of the St. Maarten Little League Association.
The first event under the new partnership is the 2026 Latin American Caribbean Baseball Tournament from July 12 to July 18th.
For Women in Science 2026 Call for Applications Opens, Offering Two $15,000 Awards to Caribbean Women Researchers.
CARIBPR WIRE, SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico:--- L’Oréal Caribe and the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean announce the opening of the 2026 call for applications for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program, an initiative that recognizes and supports outstanding women researchers from the region by awarding two $15,000 USD grants to advance the development of their scientific research.
The call for applications will be open from May 19 through August 14, 2026, and is intended for women scientists from the Caribbean who are pursuing doctoral studies, conducting postdoctoral research, or are in the early stages of a scientific research career within the program’s eligible STEM disciplines.
The program is part of the renowned global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science movement, created to promote women’s participation in scientific research and help reduce the gender gaps that continue to persist in STEM fields. In the Caribbean, the initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Caribbean Academy of Sciences and the Caribbean Division of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
“At L’Oréal Caribe, we firmly believe that science needs the talent, creativity, and leadership of women to address the challenges of today and the future. Through For Women in Science, we seek to increase the visibility of and support women researchers who are generating knowledge and innovation with an impact on our region and the world,” said Liana Camacho, Market Vice President of L’Oréal Caribe.
Eligible candidates must conduct research in areas such as formal sciences, life and environmental sciences, materials science, engineering, and technological sciences. The awards seek to provide financial support and recognition to women who contribute to scientific advancement across different fields of knowledge and whose research helps drive solutions to some of the main challenges facing the region.
“UNESCO works to recognize and promote the talent of women in science, foster diverse perspectives, and break down the barriers that limit their professional development,” said Audrey Azoulay, General Director of UNESCO.
In its 2025 edition, the program recognized Jamaican scientists Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan for research addressing important health and environmental challenges. Dr. Fisher conducts research on genetic factors associated with liver diseases, while Dr. Brown Jordan studies the presence of bacterial diseases in water systems serving vulnerable communities. Their research highlights the impact of Caribbean women scientists in generating knowledge and solutions for the region.
Globally, women continue to face significant challenges in the scientific field. According to UNESCO data, women represent approximately one-third of researchers worldwide. Although Latin America and the Caribbean have a higher representation of women in science than the global average, significant challenges remain regarding access to funding, visibility, and leadership opportunities in scientific research.
Interested applicants can review the complete eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the For Women in Science application platform https://www.forwomeninscience.com/challenge/show/167 . The deadline to apply is August 14, 2026.
About L’Oréal Caribe
L’Oréal is recognized as the world’s leading beauty company, with a broad portfolio of brands distributed across four main divisions: Consumer Products, Professional Products, L’Oréal Luxe, and Dermatological Beauty. From its offices in Puerto Rico, L’Oréal Caribe oversees operations across 25 Caribbean islands, with the mission to create the beauty that moves the world: beauty that is inclusive, ethical, generous, and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With a portfolio of 31 international brands and ambitious sustainability goals under our L’Oréal for the Future program, we strive to offer everyone, everywhere, the best in quality, efficacy, safety, transparency, and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in all its infinite forms.
For more information, visit L’Oréal Caribe’s official website: https://www.loreal.com/en/caribe/
Youth Vaccination Outreach set for this Thursday. Check Your Child’s Vaccination Records.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), through its Youth Health Care Baby Wellness Clinic, is hosting a vaccine outreach for community members on Thursday, July 9.
The vaccine outreach is primarily geared towards children who have not yet received their vaccines. If parents have missed recent vaccine appointments, CPS encourages them to take advantage of this opportunity for children ages 2 months to 17 years.
Parents and guardians can bring their children and teenagers to the clinic at the Vineyard Office Park on Thursday, July 9 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. You should also bring along your child’s vaccination record.
The vaccines that are provided include: DTaP-IPV-Hib (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, and Poliomyelitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B), Hepatitis B, PCV13 (Pneumococcus Conjugate Vaccine 13-valent), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), DT-IPV (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Poliomyelitis), and HPV (Human Papillomavirus).
For those who would like additional information to verify their child(ren) status or would like to make an appointment, you can call 721-542-3003 or message CPS via WhatsApp 721-520-4163.
Vaccination is essential in preventing a wide range of childhood diseases and significantly reduces the risk of illness, disability, and death.
These include conditions such as cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, diarrhea, rubella, and tetanus.
CPS also highlights the importance of the HPV vaccine, which is recommended for girls between the ages of nine and 17. This vaccine offers long-term protection against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women, making early vaccination a vital preventive measure.
Maintaining routine vaccination coverage is crucial. According to PAHO, gaps in vaccination can leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases, and particularly those with weakened immune systems. Ensuring full immunization not only protects individuals but also strengthens community immunity.
CPS urges parents and guardians to treat vaccination records with the same importance as other essential documents, such as passports or identification, ensuring they are up to date and safely stored.
Tax Administration Welcomes Five BOPP Students.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Tax Administration is pleased to welcome five students participating in the Business Outreach and Placement Program (BOPP), organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), for the month of July.
As part of their placement, the students will be assigned to the Business Unit and Income Tax Unit, where they will gain practical workplace experience while learning about the day-to-day operations of the Tax Administration.
“Investing in our youth is investing in the future of Sint Maarten,” said Mrs. Sharon Washington, Section Head, Business Unit. “Through programs like BOPP, we are able to provide students with valuable exposure to the workplace while introducing them to the many opportunities available within the tax sector. We hope this experience inspires them to explore future educational and career opportunities, build their confidence and skills, and gain a better understanding of public service.”
The Tax Administration wishes Christopher Williams, Jada George, Norris Marlin, Tah’Jenique Baron, and T’Saiyna Cristian a successful and rewarding placement experience.