PHILIPSBURG:--- The Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation is thrilled to announce its inaugural Open House on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Philipsburg Sports Auditorium from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Join us as we introduce vulnerable youth and those with limited access to creative opportunities to the vibrant world of performing arts and self-expression!

This event is dedicated to showcasing talent, welcoming new volunteers, and creating essential opportunities for those who need them most. FYIF youth members, along with their mentors and volunteers, will display their skills in stilt walking, face painting, dance, balloon twisting, and statuing, offering live performances and engaging mini-workshops to inspire and connect with the community.

We are looking for 10 passionate volunteers who want to join our youth-led team and help make a difference.

A community eager to inspire and be inspired—let's work together to introduce 100 young people to these thrilling opportunities!

By joining us, you will not only experience the creativity and energy of FYIF but also play a vital role in supporting and empowering youth who may not have access to such experiences otherwise.

Visit the sxmdoet.com website and register today for the FYIF Open House.

Get involved today—let’s create a lasting impact together! Whether you're an aspiring artist, a community enthusiast, or someone looking to make a positive change, this is your chance to contribute meaningfully and be part of something extraordinary. The Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to explore their passions and develop their skills in a nurturing environment.

By volunteering, you'll not only help cultivate these young talents but also gain invaluable experiences and friendships that will last a lifetime. The Open House promises to be a day filled with joy, learning, and connection, bringing together individuals from all walks of life united by a shared mission of empowerment and creativity.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness the transformative power of the arts and community engagement. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and prepare to be inspired! Together, we can build a brighter future for the youth in our community.

~"A missionary shepherd now ascends to guide the universal Church in unity and faith."~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina, today congratulated His Holiness Pope Leo XIV—formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, OSA—on his election as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. This historic moment marks the first time an American has been elevated to the papacy.

"Pope Leo XIV embodies a profound narrative of faith, humility, and cultural understanding. His journey—from the streets of Chicago to the villages of Peru, and now to the Chair of St. Peter—demonstrates the global nature of the Church and the timeless mission of service," stated Prime Minister Mercelina. "He is a shepherd who has walked among the people. His missionary heart and pastoral wisdom are urgently needed when unity, peace, and resilience are the aspirations of all humanity."

"Sint Maarten joins with the global Catholic community and people of goodwill in embracing this moment of renewal. We pray for the Holy Father's strength, wisdom, and courage as he shepherds a diverse and hopeful flock into the future," the Prime Minister added.

As bells tolled across St. Peter’s Square and the Swiss Guard took their ceremonial positions, Pope Leo XIV stepped onto the balcony of the Basilica, greeted by the cheers and prayers of the faithful from every continent—an enduring testament to the Church’s universality.

"To our beloved Catholic community of Sint Maarten, we share a moment of profound joy and spiritual renewal today. The election of Pope Leo XIV, a shepherd forged in mission and humility, reminds us that the universal Church is built upon the faith and dedication of communities like ours. May his papacy inspire us all to deepen our compassion, strengthen our unity, and continue walking together in faith and service," stated PM Dr. Mercelina

"This is more than a religious milestone; it is a global moment of hope and leadership at a time when our world seeks reconciliation and direction," PM Dr. Mercelina concluded.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Klimaxx Karnival proudly extends heartfelt thanks to every reveler, supporter, and partner who helped bring our debut to life during Carnival 2025. This first-year appearance was a testament to passion, resilience, and unity, and it could not have been achieved without the unwavering energy and commitment of those who trusted us with their Carnival experience. From feathers to fêting, the KLIMAXX EXPERIENCE made its mark.

A special and sincere thank you goes out to het Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, whose support of our Cultural Wear section was instrumental in honoring the legacy of the late Lady Ruby Bute. Through this tribute, Klimaxx was able to celebrate the richness of our heritage and uplift the memory of one of St. Maarten’s most iconic cultural figures in front of thousands. To the family and estate of Lady Bute, thank you for allowing us to carry her story forward.

We also express our deepest gratitude to our Platinum Sponsor, Flow, for believing in our vision and joining us in delivering an unforgettable experience. Your support enabled new opportunities, broader reach, and impactful visibility for Klimaxx Karnival. To our Silver Sponsor, Prime, thank you for your belief in our team and mission—your contribution helped make our creative execution a reality. To all of our supporting sponsors, remember that you made the KLIMAXX EXPERIENCE a reality!

As we look ahead to 2026, Klimaxx Karnival is just getting started. This year has laid the foundation for continued growth, stronger partnerships, and an even bolder presence. We invite everyone—past revelers, future supporters, and the broader community—to stay connected as we prepare for an even greater KLIMAXX next Carnival season!

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:---: In an essential step toward enhancing animal health management, food safety, and food security in the region, over 100 Caribbean stakeholders from 19 countries completed training on using the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). Held on March 27-28, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad in Port of Spain, the training provided an unparalleled opportunity for participants to strengthen their expertise in disease reporting, risk management, and biosecurity measures.

This training marked another step in the collaborative effort among the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) and Caribbean Animal Health Network (CaribVET), to advance the region’s capacity to detect, report, and manage animal disease threats. High among these threats are transboundary animal diseases such as the African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza, which affect the swine and poultry industries, respectively.

A Game-Changer for Regional Animal Health Management

WAHIS is an internationally recognised platform for enhancing disease monitoring and notification. This system enables WOAH member and non-member countries to respond swiftly and effectively to outbreaks.  The updated WAHIS platform allows the private sector to report animal health risks.   According to Dr Tiffany Chisholm, Senior Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture, Cayman Islands Government, “A key challenge to surveillance and reporting on animal diseases is limited human resources. Our ability to navigate the WAHIS interface will assist in determining response needs during outbreaks, expediting report submissions and staying connected with neighbouring islands. Collaboration across Caribbean countries is vital due to the high risk of disease transmission and essential to mitigate that risk.”

Empowering Participants with Knowledge and Expertise

Participants welcomed the training, highlighting its practical value and the significant improvements it would bring to national disease surveillance. Many noted that the insights gained would enhance reporting mechanisms, ensuring greater transparency and robustness. Dr Lisa Musai, National Focal Point for Animal Diseases Notification and Chief Veterinary Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, confirmed the significance of the training in “enhancing Trinidad and Tobago’s ability to report animal health data in a timely and efficient manner. By strengthening our national reporting systems, we’re enhancing both food safety and our credibility in international trade. This localised approach enables us to effectively manage risks and challenges specific to our region, reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in the global agricultural market while safeguarding the health of our population.”

Ensuring animal health is crucial to protecting livestock production and enhancing their capacity to contribute to the Region’s food and nutrition security and rural livelihood objectives.  Left unattended, emerging agricultural health threats, pests, and diseases can decimate food production systems, worsening climate change, supply chain, and food price challenges. Strengthening disease surveillance and reporting systems through platforms like WAHIS, which enable accurate and timely disease reporting, is crucial to protecting the livestock industry, supporting regional producers, and maintaining consumer trust in local food systems. Diana Francis, IICA Representative in Trinidad and Tobago, emphasised that: “In today’s data-driven world, strong information systems are critical, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasing role in improving disease monitoring and response to threats that do not recognise borders or economic status. IICA remains fully committed to collaboration on animal health within the One Health framework”.