THE NETHERLANDS - The Parliament of Sint Maarten were well represented at the start of the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO), which is currently taking place in The Hague, the Netherlands, from June 5–8, 2026.

During the opening speeches by the Chairperson of the Kingdom Affairs Committee of the Second Chamber and the Presidents of the Parliaments of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, the President of Parliament and delegation leader, the Hon. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, emphasized the importance of the continued evolution of the Kingdom and its internal relations, focusing on development, resilience, and the strengthening of institutions through increased cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.

She noted this evolution as an urgent necessity for strengthening the Kingdom structure and also voiced firm support for the announced Kingdom Conference.

Chairpersons of the Kingdom Relations Committees of the Parliaments, including Chairlady of the Committee for Kingdom Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations (CKAIR) of Parliament, MP Sjamira D.M. Roseburg, provided updates on recent developments in their respective countries.

For Sint Maarten, the update included developments in Parliament, the Trust Fund projects, the prison, mental health, the country package, and slavery.

The IPKO then followed up on the agreements made at the last IPKO in February 2026 in Aruba, approving the paper presented by MP Sarah A. Wescot-Williams regarding the functioning of IPKO, as well as taking note of the reaction by the Kingdom Government to the list of agreements, and the papers submitted by each delegation on the status of personal data protection.

IPKO also received a presentation on the current state of affairs from the IPKO-installed Expert Group on the Democratic Deficit, in which Dr. Rachnilda Arduin represents Sint Maarten.

In the afternoon, the delegations participated in a working visit in Haarlem on the topic of aging and its impact on elderly care, as well as possible solutions, as demonstrated and applied by the city of Haarlem.

The delegation of the Parliament of Sint Maarten consists of the President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, Chairlady of the CKAIR, Ms. Sjamira D.M. Roseburg, and Members of Parliament, Mr. Viren V. Kotai, Mr. Lyndon C.J. Lewis, Mr. Omar E.C. Ottley, and Mr. Egbert J. Doran.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is requesting the public's assistance in locating a missing teenager, Kyshynis Raisheena KENEPA, a 16-year-old female.

Kyshynis is described as having a light brown complexion and black hair. She was last seen in the vicinity of Robbie's Lottery on L.B. Scott Road on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

KPSM is concerned for her well-being and is asking anyone who may have information regarding her whereabouts to immediately contact the Philipsburg Police Station at +1 (721) 542-2222. Information can also be provided through the police emergency number 911.

The cooperation of the community is essential in helping to locate this young lady and ensure her safe return.

Message to Kyshynis Raisheena KENEPA:

If you are seeing this message, please contact the Police Station or your mother as soon as possible so that your family and the authorities can be assured of your safety and well-being.

KPSM thanks the public for its assistance and cooperation in this matter.

CARIBBEAN - Caribbean POSH has officially unveiled the distinguished honourees for the 2026 Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards, taking place on June 26, 2026, in the British Virgin Islands as part of the highly anticipated Caribbean POSH Weekend 2026.

Celebrating 10 Years of Purpose and POSH, this milestone year will honour an extraordinary group of Caribbean women whose leadership, innovation, and impact continue to shape the future of the region across government, tourism, sustainability, entrepreneurship, media, and community development.

The 2026 Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards Honourees are:

• Honourable Cora Richardson-Hodge — Premier of Anguilla
• Dr. Legena Henry — Founder & CEO, Rum & Sargassum
• Dona Regis-Prosper — Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization
• Jennifer Matarangas-King — Commissioner, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
• Hilma Roebuck — Owner/Operating Manager, 101.3 ROEFM WEVI
• Lynette Harrigan, MBE — Niche Marketing/Tourism Liaison Manager, BVI Tourist Board

Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge will also serve as the 2026 keynote speaker, bringing a timely and inspiring perspective on leadership, innovation, regional collaboration, and the future of Caribbean women in leadership.

“As Caribbean POSH celebrates 10 Years of Purpose and POSH, we are proud to honour women who are helping shape the future of the Caribbean,” said Janette Brin, Founder & CEO of Caribbean POSH.

“This year’s honourees represent visionary leadership, resilience, innovation, and impact at a time when the region is navigating important conversations surrounding economic growth, sustainability, tourism, entrepreneurship, and regional collaboration.”

As the first woman to serve as Premier of Anguilla, Honourable Cora Richardson-Hodge continues to make history while advancing a bold vision for the future of the Caribbean. Guided by a “People First” agenda centered on People, Purpose, and Prosperity, she has emerged as one of the region’s most influential voices in governance, national development, and innovation.

Dr. Legena Henry is being recognized for her groundbreaking work in sustainability and entrepreneurship, transforming environmental challenges into opportunities while advancing conversations around climate resilience and economic innovation within the Caribbean.

As the first woman to lead the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Dona Regis-Prosper continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Caribbean tourism through strategic leadership, regional collaboration, and sustainable destination development.

Jennifer Matarangas-King is being honoured for her leadership in advancing the visibility and growth of the U.S. Virgin Islands tourism product while championing Caribbean culture, destination development, and regional tourism partnerships.

Hilma Roebuck is being recognized for her longstanding contributions to media and communications throughout the Virgin Islands community, helping amplify Caribbean voices, stories, and culture through radio broadcasting.

Awarded an MBE for her contributions to tourism and community service, Lynette Harrigan has spent decades strengthening and elevating the British Virgin Islands tourism industry while becoming widely respected for her professionalism, warmth, and commitment to hospitality excellence.

Created to celebrate and elevate Caribbean women creating meaningful impact across the region and diaspora, the Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards have become more than an awards ceremony—they are a platform dedicated to increasing visibility, fostering collaboration, and inspiring future generations of Caribbean women leaders.

Caribbean POSH Weekend 2026 will take place June 25–30, 2026, in the British Virgin Islands under the theme:

“The Future of the Caribbean: Connection, Collaboration & Growth.”

The multi-day experience will feature:

• The Caribbean POSH ICON Woman Awards.
• The POSHgirl POWER Brunch.
• The PINK Sunday Sunset Sail.
• Curated cultural experiences.
• Networking opportunities.
• Regional conversations centered on leadership, innovation, tourism, entrepreneurship, and the future of the Caribbean.

For event details, registration, and travel information, visit www.caribbeanposh.com

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Customer Appreciation Day 2026, was celebrated across the MCB Group on May 15 through a range of activities recognizing customers and strengthening community ties. As part of this group-wide initiative, The Windward Islands Bank (WIB) marked the occasion by engaging directly with customers and celebrating the relationships built over many years.

WIB senior management and staff took time to personally thank customers who visited the branch and to recognize a group of loyal customers for their continued trust and support.

Mrs. Jas Bryan-Labega, the second person to open an account with WIB when the bank first opened in December 1960, was also among the customers thanked on the day. A respected community stalwart, Mrs. Labega has contributed for many decades to public life, real estate development, and the advancement of sports, including her role as a Founder and Second Vice President of the World Boxing Organization and President of the Sint Maarten Boxing Association. Her long‑standing relationship with the bank reflects WIB’s deep roots in the St. Maarten community.

During the celebration, customers who have been part of WIB’s journey took a moment to share stories that were simple but spoke volumes. These included families who have saved with the bank across generations, entrepreneurs who were supported in pursuing their dreams even without traditional collateral, and business owners who, in difficult times, knew they could pick up the phone and be met with understanding. These reflections captured the close, relationship‑based approach that has always defined WIB’s role on the island.

As part of the day’s activities, special‑edition World Cup Kompa Leon Gift Cards and branded giveaways were distributed to customers who used WIB ATMs and visited participating merchants across the Dutch side of the island, as a small thank you for their loyalty and continued support. Managers also visited several commercial clients and presented tokens of appreciation for their ongoing relationship with WIB.

Through these moments, WIB reaffirmed what has always been at its core: staying accessible, community‑focused, and genuinely connected to the people it serves, while honoring the relationships that have stood the test of time and the customers who have grown with WIB over the years.