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>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday the 20th of November representatives of the St. Maarten Nature Foundation met with the management of Clean St. Maarten and the Ministry of VROMI in order to come up with a plans of approach regarding the numerous tilapia that have been stuck in the Rolandus canal since the heavy rainfall of some weeks ago.

For some time the Nature Foundation has been monitoring the situation and has noticed that the water levels in the canal are of such low levels that the fish face a real danger of dying in the coming days Read more

Dutch Police Officers Surround French Immigration Officers at PJIAE. (UPDATED)

style="text-align: center;">Four PAF officers went to PJIAE with firearms and did not notify Dutch Authorities

AIRPORT:--- At least four French Police Aux Frontiers (PAF) officers got a taste of their own medicine on Wednesday morning when they showed up at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) on Wednesday morning fully armed. SMN News learnt that the four PAF were surrounded by five Dutch police officers at PJIAE. At the scene was head of the Simpson Bay outpost Carlyle Rogers.  SMN  News further learnt that the police patrol from  Simpson Bay went to PJAIE after receiving a call from the central dispatch which is located in Phillipsburg Read more

Minister of Youth Affairs Lourens-Philip: November 20 is International Day on the Rights of the Child.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):-- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip would like to wish every child and youth of the nation happy International Day on the Rights of the Child which is observed globally on November 20th.
The day 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
Minister Lourens-Philip will be joining President of the Collectivite Saint Martin Aline Hanson on Thursday morning at the Multi-Media Library in Concordia for an official ceremony related to this universal day celebrating the rights of children.
"The world made a promise to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential, and as country, we are committed to this.
"On a global level, in spite of the overall gains, there are many children who have fallen even further behind Read more

Minister Of Youth Affairs Lourens-Philip: November 20 Is International Day On The Rights Of The Child

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip would like to wish every child and youth of the nation happy International Day on the Rights of the Child which is observed globally on November 20th.

The day 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

Minister Lourens-Philip will be joining President of the Collectivite Saint Martin Aline Hanson on Thursday morning at the Multi-Media Library in Concordia for an official ceremony related to this universal day celebrating the rights of children.

"The world made a promise to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential, and as country, we are committed to this.

"On a global level, in spite of the overall gains, there are many children who have fallen even further behind Read more

Robbery Victim Speaks Out: “We Have To Stop These Guys.”

St. Maarten – “This guy is lurking around, looking for people to scam. We have to stop these guys, they have become a nuisance to society, and they are a growing criminal gang – from stealing bags to mugging workers to armed robberies,” said a night worker in the Maho area, who was recently robbed by three armed men. The robbery took place while he was giving an “acquaintance” of his a ride home.

The gentleman believes he was the victim of an elaborate and premeditated ploy organized by his acquaintance, who is said to go by the name of Jean, and is of Haitian descent Read more

André Bosman Fails To React – De Weever Takes Legal Action

St. Maarten – Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever will take legal action against VVD-MP André Bosman who did not react to a summons to retract “erroneous, slanderous and defaming statements” before the deadline of last Monday at 5 p.m. On September 30, four different newspapers quoted Bosman as saying, “Heyliger simply paid De Weever.”

The remark refers to De Weever’s decision to withdraw his support for a coalition of the National Alliance and the United St Read more

Silence Dominates Initiative To Ban Plastic Grocery Bags

Topic also on the agenda of European Commission

St. Maarten – The plans to ban single use plastic grocery bags has a long history in St. Maarten. Motions from MPs Frans Richardson and Johan Leonard date back to 2012, but the bottom line has not changed: there still is no legislation to take these plastic bags out of the equation Read more

Financial reports catch up

GREAT BAY – The Central Committee of Parliament met yesterday afternoon under peculiar circumstances. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams, the former president of parliament and now sitting on her chair as an elected MP for the Democratic Party quizzed Finance Minister Martin Hassink – member of the outgoing cabinet – about the 2011 financial statement Read more

Notary’S Rottweilers Kill Neighbor’S Dog

St. Maarten – Three Rottweilers killed a dog in Cul de Sac yesterday morning to the despair of its owner, Paula Diasz. The distraught owner posted a picture of her dog on Facebook: “Our Freddie, the loveliest sweetest dog ever, has been attacked this morning by three of our neighbor’s Rottweiler dogs. This is the third attack with two fatal endings.” Diasz wrote.

She identified the owners as notary Steeman and his wife Say Steeman-Yau, whom she described as “a politician with mottos like “stop animal cruelty” and “quiet neighborhood.”

Steeman-Yau was a candidate for the National Alliance in the elections last August, winning just 16 votes.

“They could not care less because they do not lock up their vicious, murderous dogs and therefore terrorize the neighborhood already for years,” Diasz wrote Read more

Ser-Member Reed Strikes Back At Tuitt

St. Maarten – William Reed, a senior member of the Social Economic Council (SER) has reacted angrily to statements made by former finance Minister Roland Tuitt about a SER-advice that criticizes Tuitt’s decision to take tax debts from 2006 and before off the books. The SER called the policy rules Tuitt published in the National Gazette on May 24, 2013, “unlawful.”

Yesterday, Tuitt stated in this newspaper that the SET had been used as “a political football” in writing its advice.

“As a senior member of the SER, I take exception to your article,” Reed stated in a brief email to this newspaper Read more

Children’s Day to be observed in string of awareness activities

~ Child abuse a theme, priority ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Department of Youth Affairs has announced that it is launching an official awareness campaign in observance of International Day of the Rights of the Child, November 20.

The campaign is a collaborative effort of the Department of Youth Affairs, the Department of Sports, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and aims to bring awareness to children, parents and the community about children's rights.

"Child abuse," the theme for this year's campaign, will be spearheaded under the slogan "My Rights to My Protection, My Freedom from Abuse." The theme addresses articles 35, 36 and 37 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and was deemed appropriate by the department considering the spate of reported child abuse incidents since the beginning of 2014.

Consideration also was given based on the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF report entitled "The Situation of Children and Adolescents on St Read more

Sarah questions reason for voting discrepancies meeting

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams wants an elaboration on the request for a Central Committee meeting on election day "discrepancies" as called for by MPs Leona Marlin-Romeo (independent), Tamara Leonard (United People's party) and Cornelius de Weever (DP) Read more

Ambulance duty officers receive disaster management training

ST. PETERS--The St. Maarten Ambulance Service is taking the next step in disaster management training and is increasing the preparedness of its staff for dealing with medical emergencies during disasters.

The White and Yellow Cross and the Netherlands Royal Marines assisted the St. Maarten Ambulance Service on Tuesday, during a special training session in which new medical duty officers ("officier van dienst – geneeskunde") had the chance to practice their leadership skills in a disaster scenario.

The Ambulance Service is currently in the process of training the four new medical duty officers Read more

‘History of the CXC’ to be launched December 2

KINGSTON, Jamaica--A book chronicling the forty years since the establishment of the Caribbean Examinations Council CXC will be launched during a ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, on Tuesday, December 2.

Entitled A History of the Caribbean Examinations Council, 1973-2013, the book was written by University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor Emeritus and Historian Patrick Bryan in celebration of CXC's 40th anniversary in 2013.

The fascinating history chronicles the story of pre-independence Caribbean leaders who fought for an examinations council that would ultimately transform the regional school system into one that addresses the specific education needs of the region head-on.

From the meeting of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth Caribbean countries in 1964, to the first meeting of the Caribbean Examinations Council in 1973, to the first examinations in 1979, readers will witness all the obstacles the Council faced as it fought for regional and international acceptance in the midst of UK-based examinations' continued presence in the Caribbean.

In his Foreword to the book, Professor E Read more

In Pentagon deal with Russians, big profit for tiny Florida firm

ATLANTA/MOSCOW--For months, a powerful U.S. senator has been pushing for details of a murky deal under which a Russian manufacturer supplies the rocket engines used to launch America's spy satellites into space.

At issue: how much the U.S. Air Force pays for the engines, how much the Russians receive, and whether members of the elite in President Vladimir Putin's Russia are secretly profiting by inflating the price. Now, documents uncovered by Reuters provide some answers. A tiny Florida-based company, acting as a middleman in the deal, is marking up the price by millions of dollars per engine.

That five-person company, RD Amross, is a joint venture of Russian engine maker NPO Energomash and a U.S Read more

Customs, Coast Guard updated about Ebola preparedness plan

PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Health's Collective Prevention Services (CPS) updated the Customs Department and Coast Guard recently about the country's Ebola preparedness plan.

The two disciplined services were given information about the travel ban that was announced by Public Health Minister Cornelius de Weever on Monday, October 27, as well as the various screening layers that exist prior to a person entering St Maarten Read more

style="text-align: center;">Central Committee meeting to be held on November 24th

PHILIPSBURG:--- Vice President of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo finds herself in a very compromising position now that the President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams have resigned from the position of the chair Read more

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Recently Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS) met with the Customs Department and Coast Guard to discuss preparations related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Customs and the Coast Guard were appraised about the Sint Maarten Ebola Preparedness Plan being worked on by Ministry VSA, the travel ban that was officially announced by the Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever on Monday, October 27, as well as the various screening layers that exist prior to a person entering country Sint Maarten.

The levels of screening entail, exit screening measures from countries affected by Ebola; entry screening measures in the United States of America and Europe and Sint Maarten.

The Customs Department has drafted its response plan since the meeting was held at the end of October and a draft a preparedness plan along with what resources would be required is being awaited from the Coast Guard for CPS to review with respect to how their respective agency would deal with a suspect Ebola case.

All stakeholders were updated about the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) protocols that are in place for cruise passengers and crew.

Another issue touched upon during the meeting was the inspection of shipping manifest prior to a vessel docking at one of the country's ports.

Present for the meeting were representatives from SXM Airport, Port St Read more

Cps Appraises Customs And Coast Guard About Sint Maarten Ebola Preparedness Plan

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Recently Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS) met with the Customs Department and Coast Guard to discuss preparations related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Customs and the Coast Guard were appraised about the Sint Maarten Ebola Preparedness Plan being worked on by Ministry VSA, the travel ban that was officially announced by the Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever on Monday, October 27, as well as the various screening layers that exist prior to a person entering country Sint Maarten.

The levels of screening entail, exit screening measures from countries affected by Ebola; entry screening measures in the United States of America and Europe and Sint Maarten.

The Customs Department has drafted its response plan since the meeting was held at the end of October and a draft a preparedness plan along with what resources would be required is being awaited from the Coast Guard for CPS to review with respect to how their respective agency would deal with a suspect Ebola case.

All stakeholders were updated about the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) protocols that are in place for cruise passengers and crew.

Another issue touched upon during the meeting was the inspection of shipping manifest prior to a vessel docking at one of the country's ports.

Present for the meeting were representatives from SXM Airport, Port St Read more

Editorial - Worth it in the end

With the approval of the organisational structure for an Integrity Project Bureau (see Monday paper) the outgoing Wescot-Williams III cabinet is on the right track. It's one thing to reject the manner in which the instruction for one of the recent integrity investigations came about, but that doesn't mean the recommendations in the related report aren't valid and shouldn't be implemented.

In fact, St Read more

Country’s old annual accounts handled by parliamentarians

PHILIPSBURG--The 2011 annual account covering the first year of country status was dealt with in a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Monday.

Finance Minister Martin Hassink told Members of Parliament (MPs) the handling of the account was "far overdue," but a lot of hurdles and bottlenecks had to be overcome to get the report completed.

The report was compiled with "outside help" while those for the two subsequent years were put together internally.

The third quarter financial report for this year is completed and will be forwarded to parliament soon Read more

De Weever to take Bosman to court

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever is poised to take Dutch Parliament Second Chamber Member Andre Bosman to court over allegations Bosman made about him, as well as Bosman's refusal to retract his "slanderous" remarks about De Weever.

De Weever's attorney Jairo Bloem confirmed that a case against Bosman would be filed in the Netherlands Read more

Lake: Concrete actions planned in disaster management meeting

PHILIPSBURG--A disaster management, planning and response meeting between initiator Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure VROMI Maurice Lake and various stakeholders has led to concrete actions being drafted, according to a VROMI press release issued shortly after the meeting took place at Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall on Monday, November 17.

"My ministry is reviewing the national drainage plan and will be presenting to the Council of Ministers a revised plan along with a budget in order to start to address these challenges Read more

Sandy Ground youths protest unfinished basketball court

SANDY GROUND--A crowd of youths blocked the main road in Sandy Ground on Monday afternoon, protesting a still unfinished basketball court that apparently had been promised to be delivered completely renovated in July.

The disturbance began around 3:00pm with barricades of garbage bins placed in the middle of the road, as well as a basketball post and hoop. A section of the road near the Cultural Centre was completely blocked to traffic for a few hours.

Gendarmes and Territorial Police were on the scene immediately to control a gathering crowd, but the Gendarmerie indicated that despite the tension, the situation remained calm and the youths were not aggressive Read more