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Fire safety exercise.

BONAIRE--After passing the Boatmaster three training courses in Bonaire, agents of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee KMar and the Dutch Caribbean Police Force KPCN can work as skippers of the new patrol vessel that is expected to be launched in October.

During the eight-day training course, participants learned to operate the vessel, how to fight fires and general theory Read more

Gebe Hacking Scandal: A Wake-Up Call For Change

By David Salomon

In March 2022, St. Maarten’s utility company GEBE fell victim to a devastating cyberattack that resulted in the loss of all its billing information. The consequences of this breach have been far-reaching, exposing a web of nepotism and favoritism within the company, which has left us, the citizens, grappling with confusion and soaring bills.

The graph below illustrates the alarming trend in electricity bills since January 2021, with the red trend line showing a steep increase over the years Read more

New Us Party Leadership: Educating Its New Candidates

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Leader of the US Party, Mrs Pamela Gordon Carty, recently declared that she was content to see that a valiant attempt is being made by the other political parties to educate their incoming potential candidates. On the other hand, she remains skeptical as it appears to be a copycat phenomenon that seems to have been initiated as of late. The USP has been providing informative sessions to the citizens of St. Maarten under its new leadership team since November of 2021 Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, July 19, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) July 20, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Fair to partly cloudy, breezy, and hazy. 

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 28C / 82F 

Sunset Today: 6:51 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:47 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 
This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeast to east with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 20 mph and occasional higher gusts. 

SYNOPSIS:   

A tight pressure gradient will account for brisk winds Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- In March 2022, St. Maarten's utility company GEBE fell victim to a devastating cyberattack that resulted in the loss of all its billing information. The consequences of this breach have been far-reaching, exposing a web of nepotism and favoritism within the company, which has left us, the citizens, grappling with confusion and soaring bills.
The graph illustrates the alarming trend in electricity bills since January 2021, with the red trend line showing a steep increase over the years Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament is delighted to announce the display of artwork by The Sint Maarten Youth Parliament under the title "The Seven Phases of the Moon". This art project, which showcases the talent and creativity of three young artists, Ms. Aljene Henry, Ms. Jemyah James, and Mr. Jahfier Marlin, captures the different phases of the moon.
The students have described the moon as a symbol of fertility, emotion, intuition, and change and have chosen to depict their paintings using the symbol of change, as the moon changes every night Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 81% of all deaths in the region of the Americas, of which 34% befall prematurely in people below the age of 70 years. The main NCDs that affect the region as well as St Maarten are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases. The PAHO/WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS) is a simple, standardized method for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data on key NCDs and their risk factors Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice of Sint Maarten marked Justice Day on July 17th, 2023, with a spectacular parade through the streets of Philipsburg. The event brought together troops and representatives from various justice organizations, showcasing unity and solidarity in the pursuit of justice.
The parade commenced at the Government Building on Soualiga Road, where participants assembled with enthusiasm. The ceremony began with the soul-stirring rendition of the National Song of Sint Maarten, performed by Immigration Officer Mr Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg Toastmasters Club, a prestigious organization dedicated to enhancing communication and leadership skills, is delighted to announce significant developments within the club. This includes the introduction of a dynamic new board, the induction of talented new members, and the recognition of exceptional achievements by existing members.
The club had a full agenda for their first meeting of the new Toastmasters year 2023-2024. The hybrid meeting was held on Thursday 6th July 2023 at the Carl and Sons cafe on the Pondfill Read more

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SIMPSON BAY:---  The Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA), an alliance formed in 2021 by the airports of the Dutch Caribbean, aims to improve the travel experience between the islands, focusing on consistency, affordability, and sustainability, a commitment reiterated by Joost Meijs, Chief Executive Officer of Arubas Queen Beatrice International Airport and Chairman of the DCCA, during his recent visit with Minister Lambriex.

Updating the Minister on the mission and vision of the DCCA, Meijs explained that a Task Force was established in January of this year, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the commitment of the partnership between the islands Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Bureau Telecommunications St. Maarten (BTP) organized a highly successful information session last week on High Frequency (HF) radio as a robust backup communication option. The event, held at the Sint Maarten Fire Station, was attended by the EOC, telecom operators, and esteemed guests, including the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, the Honorable Silveria Jacobs.

The session featured informative lectures by Dr Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, July 18, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) July 19, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy and hazy with a brief local shower possible. 

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             

Forecast Low: 28C / 82F 

Sunset Today: 6:51 P.M Read more

~CBCS Presents Best Economic Research Award 2023~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) presented the Best Economic Research Award to high-school and university students for the third time this year. To be eligible for the award, HAVO and VWO students in Curaao and Sint Maarten had to submit their research paper for the subject of Economics. Students at the bachelors and masters levels could compete for a prize by submitting their graduation thesis Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, July 17, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) July 18, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Partly cloudy and hazy, becoming cloudy at times with brief isolated showers possible. 

Forecast High: 32C / 87F             

Forecast Low: 27C / 81F 

Sunset Today: 6:51 P.M Read more

Chris: Vanity Projects Still Being Prioritized Over Public Interest

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Leader of the NOW party (Nation, Opportunity, Wealth) MP Christophe Emmanuel on Sunday said that the National Alliance led government of St. Maarten has clearly prioritized political vanity projects over issues that matter most to the population. So much so, he said, that the government sees no need to provide relevant and factual information on ongoing projects such as the hospital and the airport, but choose instead to roll-out projects meant to distract people over the summer break.

There are so many issues that affect our people direct and indirectly that this government is willfully and strategically ignoring due to the fact that elections are on the horizon Read more

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Emmanuel Wants Guarantees From Govt. On Student Housing In Holland

~ Not exploring solutions is unacceptable ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Leader of the NOW party (Nation, Opportunity, Wealth) MP Christophe Emmanuel is calling on the Minister of Education Rodolphe Samuel to assure and guarantee parents that their children travelling to the Netherlands to further their studies this year will have adequate, stable student housing once they arrive in the country in a few weeks.

The MP said he is very concerned about the status and mental health of St Read more

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Delegation Will Visit Canada To Observe How Bilingualism Is Implemented There

The Evelina Halley troupe marches past the dignitaries. (Robert Luckock photo)

MARIGOT--President of the Collectivit Louis Mussington used his Bastille Day speech to talk on a number of subjects, ranging from education, construction projects, renovation of churches, a relief road from Galisbay to La Savane and a Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---: Rollocks Jr. Candidate for the URSM Party has announced, that he is donating Back Packs and school supplies, and stands in solidarity with struggling single mothers and parents, who have difficulty finding school fees and school supplies on a yearly basis.
Although parents generally purchase school supplies at the start of the school year, the need for some items, like backpacks, varies with use and daily wear and tear Read more

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United People's Party Announces Date Of Its Highly Anticipated 2023 Party Congress

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United People's Party (UP) has officially announced the date of its eagerly awaited 2023 Party Congress. Set to take place on August 13, 2023, at the prestigious Aleeze Event & Convention Center in Madame Estate, it promises to be a milestone in St. Maarten's political landscape.
The congress will commence at 5:00 pm and is expected to draw a large gathering of party members, supporters, and political enthusiasts.
"As one of the largest political parties on the island, the UP Party continues to shape the course of St Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Top Research And Development In The Caribbean.

by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

Which are the top ten leading territories for research and development in the Caribbean? No? Top five? How about three? Is it because the region doesnt need any research and development? That is strange. Because the most developed countries in the world also spend the most money on research and development. One would think that they are so freaking developed already that they really dont need more of it. Is it because they can spend more since they have more funding available for it? Or is it that they have more funding as they have invested more in research and development and are benefiting from it?

The development of an R&D Center (Research & Development) is a crucial element to contribute to the development and dissemination of new rigorous evidence and innovative products, methods or technologies that provide practical solutions to issues, confrontations and problems that must not be overlooked in the Caribbean Read more

Rollocks Jr, Donates School Supplies

Sucker Garden, Sint Maarten —Rollocks Jr. Candidate for the URSM Party has announced, that he is donating Back Packs and school supplies, and stands in solidarity with struggling single mothers and parents, who have difficulty in finding school fees and school supplies on a yearly basis.

Although parents generally purchase school supplies at the start of the school year, the need for some items, like backpacks, varies with use and daily wear and tear.

To this end, Rollocks Jr Read more

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Island Council Adopts Social Minimum, Salary Minimum Motions

SABA Two motions were presented to the Island Council by Island Council Members Elsa Peterson and Vito Charles, both of the WIPM party, one motion addressing the continued urgency to establish the social minimum and a second motion on the minimum salaries of the Public Entity Saba with a cost-of-living adjustment.

Peterson and Charles submitted their motions during a meeting of the Island Council to handle the 2022 Year Report and the first 2023 budget amendment. Petersons motion instructed the Executive Council to take a number of actions Read more

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Reality And Justice

It was brought to my attention a couple of days ago that an article was published entitled Negative for the image of St. Maarten. The author being Mr. Robby Ferron. I believe he was commenting on article I wrote on debt cancellation. Had I seen it earlier I would have remarked sooner. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and that is a given. I do maintain that the best thing for the Netherlands to do is to cancel the entire debt, not only that of the liquidity support but also prior loans Read more

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SABA:--- Two motions were presented to the Island Council by Island Council Members Elsa Peterson and Vito Charles, both of the WIPM party, one motion addressing the continued urgency to establish the social minimum and a second motion on the minimum salaries of the Public Entity Saba with a cost-of-living adjustment.

Peterson and Charles submitted their motions during a meeting of the Island Council to handle the 2022 Year Report and the first 2023 budget amendment. Petersons motion instructed the Executive Council to take a number of actions Read more

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Candidates in this article: