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A Hurricane Watch Is In Effect For St. Maarten

TROPICAL STORM TAMMY APPROACHINGTHE LEEWARDS

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN

At 11pm the center of tropical storm Tammy was located near latitude 13.8 North, longitude 57.1 West or about 495 miles southeast of St. Maarten.

The system is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (172 km/h). A gradual turn to the northwest with a reduction in speed is forecast on Friday, and this motion should continue through Saturday Read more

A Tropical Storm Watch Issued For St. Maarten

TROPICAL STORM TAMMY STRENGTHENING..

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR ST. MAARTEN

At 11am the center of tropical storm Tammy was located near latitude 13.6 North, longitude 55.7 West or about 580 miles southeast of St. Maarten.

The system is moving toward the west northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h). A slower west northwest motion is expected through tonight. A turn towards the northwest is forecast on Friday and this motion should continue into the weekend. On this forecast track, the center of Tammy is forecast to move near or over the Leeward Islands Friday and Saturday Read more

Tropical Storm Tammy Special Advisory Number 4

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL202023

800 AM AST Thu Oct 19 2023

SUMMARY OF 800 AM AST...1200 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...13.5N 55.1W

ABOUT 465 MI...745 KM ESE OF GUADELOUPE

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 16 MPH...26 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB...29.65 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of Netherlands has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Saba and St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Sunday, Oct 15, the airport hall was laden with happy anticipation as a group of VWO 5 students and two teachers were waving goodbye to parents and Milton Peters College representatives: a long-awaited visit to Ahaus, in Germany was about to start.
A year ago, in October 2022, a group of German students from the Anne Frank Realschule visited Milton Peters College. This visit focused on language learning: Dutch, English French, and SXM culture.
The return visit of MPC students to Germany became possible when MPC managed to get a grant from Erasmus Plus for the bulk of the costs Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Sarah Calls On Ottley To Amend The Current Sickness Insurance Law Of The Szv To Include Vendors, Taxi And Bus Drivers And Sole Proprietors.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The call was made during a recent public meeting of parliament requested by members of parliament Wescot-Williams, Heyliger-Marten, and Emmanuel in the presence of Minister Ottley, who was asked about the national health insurance that was touted to be introduced on January 1, 2024.

It is during that meeting we learned that the national health insurance will not go into effect per January 1, 2024, as previously announced by the minister, but most other questions regarding the implementation of the general health insurance were not answered Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Climate Scenarios And A Climate Impact Atlas For Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, And Saba.

BONAIRE:--- The (Dutch) Caribbean islands are facing unprecedented challenges posed by climate change, including rising sea levels, intensifying hurricanes, heat waves, and heavy rainfall. In response to these threats, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has published climate scenarios for the BES islands. In addition, a collaborative effort is underway to develop a Climate Impact Atlas for the BES islands, providing a crucial foundation for informed decision-making and sustainable development Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  The annual Police Week, serves to recognize and appreciate the unwavering dedication of the men and women who dedicate their lives as the vigilant guardians of our communities. A jubilant church service was rendered today at the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church on Front Street, which immediately followed a parade and luncheon at the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg.

This year's Police Week brings together esteemed members of the Police Korps from Aruba, Curacao, the BES Islands, and the Netherlands, fostering unity, collaboration, and the celebration of shared commitment to safety and security.

Today, this solemn gathering, paused to reflect on the pivotal role police officers play in their daily lives Read more

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Candidates in this article:

HARBOR VIEW:--- The Social Economic Council (SER) will host a symposium on Thursday afternoon, October 12th, 2023 at the Belair Community Center. The theme of the symposium is Protect and Preserve Our Paradise, Sint Maartens Ecological Treasures Unveiled. With this symposium, the SER has chosen to focus on the social and environmental impact and well-being of the community. The event will commence at 1 pm and conclude at 5.15 pm.

The SER is honored to present various expert speakers on the subject matter Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Deltona Man Charged With Murder In Fatal Stabbing

USA — A Deltona man who killed another man Sunday morning after an argument is in custody on a charge of first-degree murder.

The incident was initially reported around 11 a.m. as a shooting. The 21-year-old male victim came out of a house at 2997 Glenridge Terrace, bleeding with an obvious injury to his abdomen. A witness stopped to help and called 911. When asked who was responsible for his injury, the victim pointed back at the house but was unable to provide more details Read more

~ November 6 -8 Symposium: The Future of Sustainable Healthcare in Sint Maarten ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of VSA, in collaboration with SZV Social & Health Insurances, is thrilled to announce an unprecedented symposium with the goal of formulating a five-year vision on sustainable healthcare in Sint Maarten. The event will take place from November 6 8, 2023, at the Belair Community Center and seeks to harmonize the efforts of all key players in the local health sector to navigate the numerous challenges and carve a path toward a robust and sustainable healthcare future.
Minister of VSA, Mr Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Opposition Members Want A Public Meeting On Gebe And On The Proposed National Health Insurance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of Parliament Wescot-Williams, Heyliger-Marten, and Emmanuel want parliament to urgently meet on GEBE and the National Health Insurance proposal, which is in the pipeline.
In their letter regarding GEBE, the MPs state that the public concerns regarding GEBE continue unabated and that government responses have been few and contradictory.
Issues mentioned in the letter of the opposition members are:
The status of data recovery
Billing
Outages and load-shedding
Financial viability of the company

We are trying every which way to get the attention of the government for the plight of the people, but we are being stonewalled at every turn, MP Wescot explained Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:---  Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Sint Maarten welcomes Margot Mesnard as Program Manager for the foundation. Ms. Mesnard served as Project Coordinator for EPICs recent pelican conservation project and has specialized in project management around ecosystem restoration and climate change-related projects, with 15 years of experience working in the Caribbean and Small Island States. Locally, she has worked with RESEMBID, Waste2Work, and serves on the Scientific Committee of the LIFE BiodivOm Project for St Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Weather / Tropical Storm Philippe / Maintaining Orange Vigilance For Heavy Rain And Thunderstorms, Wave-Flooding, Strong Winds.

MARIGOT:--- The evolution of tropical storm Philippe during the evening of Tuesday, October 3 presents several uncertainties. Heavy precipitation is possible overnight, accompanied by strong gusts.

 Schools were closed on Tuesday and will remain closed on Wednesday morning.

Tuesday. Under these conditions, the Prefect takes the decision to maintain the educational establishments closed until tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4 at 1 p.m. in order to allow technical services to assess and repair potential damage

during the morning Read more

Tropical Storm Philippe Intermediate Advisory Number 41A

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172023

200 PM AST Tue Oct 03 2023

SUMMARY OF 200 PM AST...1800 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...19.0N 64.4W

ABOUT 55 MI...90 KM NE OF ST. THOMAS

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW OR 305 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB...29.65 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for Anguilla.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* British Virgin Islands

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.

Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S Read more

...PHILIPPE COULD BRING HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING TO PORTIONS OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS LATER TODAY...

Tropical Storm Philippe Advisory Number 37

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172023

1100 AM AST Mon Oct 02 2023

SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...17.1N 60.7W

ABOUT 80 MI...130 KM ESE OF BARBUDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1000 MB...29.53 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of Antigua has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Barbuda.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Barbuda

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* Antigua

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 12 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 12 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of this system.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteor-ological service.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

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At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located by an Air Force Re-serve Hurricane Hunter near latitude 17.1 North, longitude 60.7v West Read more

Tropical Storm Philippe Advisory Number 33

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172023

1100 AM AST Sun Oct 01 2023

SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...16.1N 58.7W

ABOUT 180 MI...290 KM E OF GUADELOUPE

ABOUT 230 MI...370 KM ESE OF BARBUDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1002 MB...29.59 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of Antigua has issued a Tropical Storm for Antigua and Barbuda.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* Antigua, Barbuda

Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of this system Read more

....INTERESTS IN THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF PHILIPPE...

Tropical Storm Philippe Advisory Number 32

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172023

500 AM AST Sun Oct 01 2023

SUMMARY OF 500 AM AST...0900 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...16.4N 58.2W

ABOUT 210 MI...340 KM E OF GUADELOUPE

ABOUT 250 MI...405 KM ESE OF BARBUDA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 7 MPH...11 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...999 MB...29.50 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Interests in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of this system Read more

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Today, Friday, September 29, 2023, the Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, along with her dedicated team, aimed to provide a crucial status update to all justice personnel and the public regarding significant developments within the Ministry of Justice.

Unfortunately, due to the absence of a quorum at the scheduled Justice Committee of Parliament meeting, the presentation could not be delivered as intended. However, Minister Richardson remains committed to ensuring that vital information reaches the justice personnel promptly.

The History

After more than a decade without a completed Function Book for the Ministry of Justice, the current administration, under the leadership of Minister Richardson, successfully undertook and completed this crucial task Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Given Their Small Size And High Degree Of Openness: Policy Actions Needed To Reduce Vulnerability To External Shocks In Curaao And Sint Maarten.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  As small and open economies, Curaao and Sint Maarten are vulnerable to external shocks. The effects of external shocks on the monetary union are reflected in, among other things, fluctuations in our balance of payments, stated president of the Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS), Richard Doornbosch, in the CBCSs September 2023 Economic Bulletin. This edition of the Economic Bulletin highlights the monetary unions vulnerability to shocks with a textbox on the effect of NAf.- Euro exchange rate fluctuations on trade flows Read more

 ...EXPECTED TO DRIFT AROUND EAST OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS THROUGH THE WEEKEND...

Tropical Storm Philippe Advisory Number 25

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172023

1100 AM AST Fri Sep 29 2023

 SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...18.3N 55.3W

ABOUT 510 MI...825 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...WSW OR 245 DEGREES AT 2 MPH...4 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Interests in the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S Read more

Bird Expert Shanna Challenger Shares Conservation Formula At Saba Bird Fest

Conservation biologist and bird expert Shanna Challenger (right) gave a presentation on Thursday evening as part of the first-ever Saba Bird Fest.

SABA--Conservation biologist and bird expert Shanna Challengers presentation during the first-ever Saba Bird Fest on Thursday evening raised awareness of the power of locally-led conservation actions.

Challenger, who is the Offshore Islands Conservation Programme Coordinator at Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) of Antigua and Barbuda, shared how the organisations conservation work was able to restore Redonda, the small island which lies about 56 kilometres southwest of Antigua, between the islands Nevis and Montserrat.

In 2008, Redonda was deforested, eroded, and collapsing into the sea as a result of past human activity, when the island was used for guano mining during World War I, yielding up to 7,000 tonnes annually Read more

Tropical Storm Philippe Advisory Number 21

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172023

1100 AM AST Thu Sep 28 2023

 SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...18.6N 54.6W

ABOUT 560 MI...895 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 2 MPH...4 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1002 MB...29.59 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Interests in the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S Read more

...INTERESTS IN THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS, VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND PUERTO RICO SHOULD MONITOR ITS PROGRESS...

Tropical Storm Philippe Advisory Number 17

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL172023

1100 AM AST Wed Sep 27 2023

SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST...1500 UTC...INFORMATION

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LOCATION...17.5N 53.7W

ABOUT 620 MI...995 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 9 MPH...15 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...998 MB...29.47 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Interests in the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S and

British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress

of this system.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

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At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located near latitude 17.5 North, longitude 53.7 West Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The recently generated 2023 economic indicator table report for the first half of 2023 paints an encouraging picture of St. Maarten's economic landscape, showcasing growth and resilience across key indicators. 

Real GDP Estimate 

St. Maarten's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecasts a growth rate of 4.6% in 2021 Read more