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Pond Island:---TelEm Group’s Management Board, consisting of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mrs. Helma Etnel, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Mr. Brian Mingo and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Mrs. Helma Etnel, officially hand over the reins of the government-owned company this week to new Chief Executive Officer (CFO) Mr. Kendall Dupersoy after filling the vacant CEO position for more than seven years.

All three were personally thanked recently by Prime Minister and Shareholder Representative, Mr Read more

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It Is A Discussion We Must Have, Sooner Rather Than Later

Not totally unexpected, my recent comments on the relationships in the Dutch Kingdom have evoked quite some reactions. I welcome these reactions, because I believe it is a discussion we must have, sooner rather than later.

My comments, however, had to do with the following: Theoretically, the competencies and authorities between the Dutch countries and the Kingdom level of Government are quite clear in the Charter of the Dutch Kingdom. The main areas of Kingdom responsibilities are Defense, Nationality and Defense.

No one would argue though, that the so-called equality of all 4 Dutch countries in reality is far from such Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, January 19th the Town Hall meeting organized by the Community Police Officer Felix Richards was held at the Milton Peters College. Many invited residents of these neighborhoods for unknown reasons did not show up for the meeting. The residents that attended this meeting were given a detailed explanation of the present situation on crime in the areas and tips given on how to jointly prevent and combat crime and criminal activities. A Whatsapp Chat group was also set up for these residents Read more

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Jean-Louis Turquin Murdered In Mont Vernon, French Saint Martin

The death of Jean-Louis Turquin, convicted in 1997 in Nice for the assassination of his son

Sentenced in Nice to 20 years of imprisonment for the murder of his 8-year-old son, Jean-Louis Turquin was shot dead in the night from Friday to Saturday.

SAINT MARTIN/GUADELOUPE – Jean-Louis Turquin, convicted in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes) in 1997 for the murder of his son, was found dead with a bullet in his back during the night from Friday to Saturday, January 7, on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, it was learned from Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe) Read more

Update: “Cuchi’S” Brother Tito Set Free By Judge Of Instruction

BELVEDERE, Sint Maarten (Update 13:45 pm) – Tito Fortune regained his freedom after the Judge of Instruction found there were irregularities in his arrest procedure.

Fugitive Kathron “Cuchi” Fortune’s brother Tito was arrested on Wednesday, December 14, in Belvedere. A search of his home followed, but nothing was found at in the home that could directly incriminate him in the disappearance of the two missing men.

Spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office Gino Bernadina and his lawyer Remco Stomp confirmed to 721news that Tito was set free on Friday, December 16.

721news clarifies the story of his arrest:
On the same day Tito regained his freedom, Police issued a press release stating that they had arrested T.J.F Read more

*Update* Two Rob Ballerina Jewelry On Frontstreet

UPDATE: POLICE REPORT

Jewelry store robbery

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Saturday, December 10, at approximately 12:25pm, a jewelry store, located on Front Street in Philipsburg, was robbed. An armed man ran into the establishment and grabbed several gold chains from behind the display case, and fled the scene as quickly as he had entered it.

No one was hurt during this robbery Read more

Caft Chairman Age Bakker: “Keep Doing The Utmost To Meet Deficit Norms”

ORANJESTAD, Aruba – During a recent visit to Aruba, the Board of Financial Supervision for Aruba (CAft) indicated that the utmost must be done in order to meet the maximum acceptable deficit norm.

At this moment, particularly the indirect tax income is lagging well behind under the influence of low economic growth. In contrast, the reopening of the oil refinery will result in additional income for the government. The estimated direct tax revenue of Aruba for 2018 represents a 22% rise Read more

Caft Chairman Age Bakker: “Keep Doing The Utmost To Meet Deficit Norms.

Oranjestad:--- During its most recent visit to Aruba, the Board of financial supervision for Aruba (CAft) indicated that the utmost must be done in order to meet the maximum acceptable deficit norm. At this moment particularly the indirect tax income is lagging well behind under the influence of low economic growth. In contrast, the reopening of the oil refinery will result in additional income for the government. The estimated direct tax revenue of Aruba for 2018 represents a 22% rise. This is such a strong increase that the CAft is not sufficiently convinced of the long-term sustainability of the Aruba public finances.

Budget implementation in 2016
The implementation report for the period up to the third quarter shows that the deficit of the public sector over this period amounted to 1.5% of GDP Read more

Successful Conference On Bonaire On Political Future Of Dutch-Administrated Caribbean

Kralendijk, BONAIRE – Recently, Foundation Nos Kier Boneiru Bek organized a conference at Plaza Hotel, which addressed a better future for Bonerian people, and for the other sister islands administrated by the Dutch.

After the conference, a gala dinner was held at Eddy’s restaurant with keynote speaker Dr. Corbin. Both events were successful and participants said that the conference was very informative and of international standard.

The Aruba delegation represented by Dr Read more

Successful Conference On Bonaire On The Political Future Of The Dutch Administrated Caribbean

BONAIRE - Recently Foundation Nos Kier Boneiru Bek organized a conference at Plaza Hotel which has put a foundation for a better future for the Bonerian peoples and of our other sister islands which are administrated by the Dutch. Following after the conference a gala-diner was held at Eddy's restaurant with keynote speaker Dr. Corbin. Both events were successful with good attendance and got from the participants and the public which followed the vents through the media that these were very informative and of international standards.

The delegation Aruba represented by Dr Gerrit Croes and of Curacao by Mr Read more

Thousands Of Cubans Gather To View Caravan Bearing Fidel Castro’S Ashes

MATANZAS, Cuba — When the motorcade carrying Fidel Castro’s ashes approached this northern shore town’s Freedom Plaza on Wednesday, the crowd lining the sidewalks, benches, rooftops, balconies and even window bars started to chant his name.

“Yo soy Fidel!” (“I am Fidel!”), hundreds of people shouted in Spanish. “Viva Fidel!” (“Long live Fidel”).

Some carried Cuban flags, many held smartphones to record the moment, and a few cried Read more

Lee Disappointed In Court Verdict

PHILIPSBURG--Health Minister Emil Lee on Sunday expressed disappointment in last Friday’s court verdict issued based on a lawsuit filed by VAMED against Social Health Insurances SZV regarding the construction of a new general hospital for St. Maarten.

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A Second Chance To Do Things Right

St. James, Marigot – I would like to thank all the voters in St. Martin who came out to vote on the occasion of the 1st round, last Saturday, November 19, of the Primary of the Right and Center.

I also want to thank the voters who voted for Alain Juppé and made it possible for him to earn 128 votes. This placed him in third place and 44 votes behind Nicolas Sarkozy who placed first on Saint Martin, but who was ultimately eliminated from the contest and soundly rejected at both the Overseas and the National level.

François Fillon’s surprising and brilliant performance is to be congratulated and Alain Juppé took precedence in the Overseas Territories while earning 28% of the overall vote Read more

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Police Officers In Court

PHILIPSBURG – On July 22, 2016 a group of police officers received their decrees by the Minister of Justice Edson Kirindngo during a ceremony held at Police Headquarters in Philipsburg.

When the officers took a look at their long awaited promotions, they were disappointed. The officers were taken into service early in 2012, during which period they were selected to follow the Basic Police Training (BPO).

However, the cadets were placed in the daily operation of police work instead of sitting on the benches as mentioned in their former decree, which stipulated that they were police cadets in training.

The cadets had never gotten proper training to fulfill their duties as full-fledged police officers, because management team (KPSM) claimed that there was no money in the budget for the BPO Read more

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Letter To The Editor By Koos Sneek: Statia’S Budget 2017

The debate in the Island Council on the budget took place on November 14. The most important debate of the year was held without most of us, including myself, having noticed it. This could happen because no official announcement was made through the media.

The island council members were not sent a convocation with an agenda that included the budget 2017 either. An agenda was sent out a little over 24 hours prior to the meeting, but mentioned only the first budget amendment and quarterly report 2016.  Disturbing is that the bylaw required two weeks for scrutiny of the budget by the public was not adhered to Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On July 22, 2016, a group of Police officers received their decrees by the Minister of Justice Edson Kirindngo during a ceremony held at the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg. When the officers took a look at their long-awaited promotions it was just for them to get more disappointed. The officers were taking into service since early in the year 2012. During which period they were selected to follow the Basic Police Training (BPO). However, the cadets were placed in the daily operation of police work instead on sitting on the benches as mention in their former decree that stipulated that they were police cadets in training.

The cadets had never gotten the proper training to fulfill their duties as full-fledged police officers because management team (KPSM) claimed that there was no money in the budget for the basic police training (BPO) Read more

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Ombudsman Wants Solution For Duped Statia Employees

National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen.

THE HAGUE--National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen urged Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk on Tuesday to find a solution for all government employees, including teachers in the Caribbean Netherlands, whose pension money has disappeared.

  According to Van Zutphen, no difference should be made in the treatment of government employees and teachers, whether they work for the National Government Service Caribbean Netherlands RCN, the governments of Bonaire, St Read more

Simpson Bay Resort Offers Specials For Dominate 360!

Great Bay, St. Maarten – DOMINATE 360 is a three (3) day experience brings entrepreneurial experts from the US, the Netherlands, around the Caribbean and St. Maarten to equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with best practices and cutting-edge tools to be 21st century entrepreneurial leaders. Simpson Bay Resort and Marina has partnered with INFOBIZZ to ensure that this 2nd Annual DOMINATE 360 to be held on November 17-19, 2016 at the resort is a memorable experience for all Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Board and Membership of the Democratic Party express their deep appreciation, gratitude, and pride in the exemplary performance of the Chairperson of Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams and the outgoing Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Mr Read more

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International And Local Experts Support Entrepreneurs And Business Leaders

~ 2nd annual DOMINATE 360 coming in November ~

PHILIPSBURG – On November 17-19, Foundation INFOBIZZ will host the 2nd annual DOMINATE 360.

This experience brings entrepreneurial experts from the US, the Netherlands, around the Caribbean and St. Maarten to equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with best practices and cutting-edge tools to be 21st century entrepreneurial leaders.

Foundation INFOBIZZ is a non-profit focused on business support services for start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) Read more

Thank You & I Love You Sxm! One Island, One People!

After an enlightening campaign process and meeting great people out there, I would like to say thank you very much to the 135 people who saw fit to vote for me. I really appreciate your support.

I would also like to thank the 856 persons who saw fit to vote for the St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP).

Our Leader Pastor Smith and all eight other candidates thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I would like to thank my family and close friends, but in particular Ms Read more

Ppa Issues Statement In Wake Of Election 2016

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Leader of the P.P.A, states: “ First of all, I take this opportunity to congratulate all the political parties that took part in the Parliament elections on September 26th last. Congratulations to the Leaders of the two largest parties, the UPP and the NA party Read more

Gracita: “Congratulations To The Fifteen (15) New Members Of Parliament Elect, As Well As To The People Of St Maarten For Exercising Its Duty To Vote”. .

Concerned regarding the prospects of continued political instability, in spite of the many promises, made to the electorate”

PHILIPSBURG:---- Leader of the P.P.A, states: “ First of all, I take this opportunity to congratulate all the political parties that took part in the Parliament elections on September 26th last. Congratulations to the Leaders of the two largest parties, the UPP and the NA party.
I also publicly thank the voters who bravely cast their votes for our candidates of the People’s Progressive Alliance Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The two political parties that got five seats each in parliament did not waste any time in forming a government. The leaders and deputy leaders of the two parties namely William Marlin and Silveria Jacobs from the National Alliance along with Theodore Heyliger and Franklin Meyers from the United Peoples Party signed a coalition agreement shortly after the results were announced.
Up to early Tuesday morning neither of the party leaders could be reached for a comment but SMN News managed to obtain a photograph of the four political leaders and deputy leaders holding up the signed documents. Sources told SMN News that Marlin announced the news in a Whatsapp chat to all his party members and promised to explain them the reasons for his decision in a meeting later today at 1pm Read more

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