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Busy 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Comes To An End. We Must Be Thankful Says Richardson.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season officially comes to an end on Thursday, November 30th.

There were 20 named storms, of which seven (7) became hurricanes, and of those three (3) became major hurricanes (Category 3+ on the Saffir-Simpson Scale). An average season has 14 named storms; seven hurricanes; and three major hurricanes.

There was no storm activity between July 26 and August 19. From August 20 until October 6, the vast number of storms formed starting with Emily all the way down to Philippe.
Bret and Cindy both formed in mid-June.
Hurricane Lee was the seasons only Category 5 hurricane who achieved such a status in the open ocean east of the Leeward Islands.

In late October, Category 1 Hurricane Tammy, was another system that barely missed the Leeward Islands Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Thursday 30th November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 01st December 2023

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 32C / 90F                 Forecast Low: 26C / 79F

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:27 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Friday midday: Northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph.

SYNOPSIS:
Drifting pockets of moisture at the lower levels of the atmosphere may cause a few showers across the local area Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent suspended Member of Parliament Claudius Buncamper's conviction was upheld by the Appeals court on Thursday morning in the Ruby case. The criminal case was handled by the Prosecutor's Office since December 2021 when a guilty verdict was rendered by the Court of First Instance.

The NOW party deputy leader was suspended from Parliament and was replaced by MP Channel Brownbill formerly of the United St Read more

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Witness Says Frans Got Large Commission For Btp Building But Also Other Former Politicians

The Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BTP) building in Cannegieter Street.

~ Including $200k in political contributions to Ohndhae ~

PHILIPSBURG--Two witnesses testified under oath in open court on Wednesday as part of former Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardsons appeal of his 2021 conviction for bribery and abuse of position in the so-called Aquamarine II investigation Read more

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~Congratulates bureau staff for execution ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The crucial role that MP Roland Brison played in securing funding through a Naf 5 million budget amendment that he initiated is further highlighted as a significant milestone in the revitalization of St. Maarten's tourism industry with the opening of the new headquarters of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau on December 1, 2023. A new national brand will be unveiled in conjunction with the inauguration.

MP Brisons groundbreaking amendment in the 2023 budget, never before done for the tourism sector, earmarked over 5 million guilders for capital expenditures and investments, emphasizing the need for rejuvenation in the tourism sector Read more

Wicsu-Psu Engages In Productive Meeting With Coast Guard Management On Function Book.

Willemstad, Curacao:---  Windward Islands Public Service Union (WICSU-PSU) recently convened meetings on November 27 and 28, 2023, in Curacao with the Coast Guard transition team and Human Resource Manager, Mr. Berenos, along with his team. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the function book of the Coast Guard, addressing long-standing concerns raised by union members.

In attendance were representatives from various unions, including SEPPA Aruba, STRAF, ACOM, ABVO, and SAP Read more

St. Maarten Not Ready For Pre-Academic Year, Minister Samuel Says It Will Not Be Mandatory

From left: Sint Maarten's Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Richard Panneflek (Who signed on behalf of St. Maarten Education Minister Rodolphe Samue), Curaao Education Minister Sithree van Heydoorn, Aruban Minister Endy Croes and Netherlands Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf welcomed the new structure of the Strategic Education Alliance (SEA) on November 6.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel said on Wednesday that the pre-academic year will not be mandatory for students on St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, on Wednesday, said the introduction of a pre-academic year is part of a new education programme within the Kingdom of the Netherlands under a Strategic Education Alliance (SEA), however, Minister Samuel added that the pre-academic year is not mandatory for Sint Maarten.

In fact, in the case of Sint Maarten, the University of St Read more

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~Presents Five-Point Platform dubbed #BlairCares~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The youngest candidate on the United Peoples Party UPP list Kimberly A. Blair (25), a distinguished graduate of Mercy University in Criminal Justice with a Forensics concentration, steps into St. Maarten's political arena with a committed vision and a comprehensive platform aimed at addressing critical issues in justice and education.
Having returned to St Read more

 PHILIPSBURG:---  The Honorable Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sport drs. Rodolphe Samuel in collaboration with the St. Maarten Christian Council, St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation and the Seventh Day Adventist Church will host the 24th annual service with the theme Come together and magnify the Lord with Thanksgiving on the grounds of the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023.

In acknowledgment of St Read more

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Info Session For National Career Fair Thursday At Govt. Building

PHILIPSBURG--Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus and his cabinet have reached out to the Council of Ministers and the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) regarding one of their economic outreach activities that has the potential of contributing to De Nationale Carrirebeurs (National Career Fair). 

  Violenus personally initiated constructive discussions with the Dutch company Memory Group, the main company for the National Career Fair that promotes Working in the Caribbean. 

  The main goal is to mobilise the diaspora of St Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 29th November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 30th November 2023

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with brief showers possible.

Forecast High: 31C / 88F                 Forecast Low: 26C / 79F

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:26 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Easterly to northeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 6 to 14 mph.

SYNOPSIS: A dry and stable atmosphere will continue to limit shower activity across the local area Read more

St. Maarten Hosts Initiative To Launch Platform For Caribbean Crime Analysts

Chief of Police John advocated transnational cooperation between data-driven law enforcement agencies exchanging information about criminal networks in the region.

SIMPSON BAY--Crime analysts from islands all over the Caribbean and from the Netherlands, France and Guyana, came to St. Maarten last week for a networking conference aimed at cooperation in the Caribbean region. Under the auspices of Minister of Justice Read more

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58 Women From Across The Caribbean Region Graduate Cohort 2 Of The Ebb Programme For Women Entrepreneurs Republic Bank And Bdp Associates Champion Her Success

Port of Spain, Trinidad:--- Fifty-eight successful participants of Cohort 2 of the Entrepreneurs Business Builder (EBB) programme graduated in a moving virtual ceremony hosted by Republic Bank in collaboration with EBB partner BDP Associates
Under the theme, Championing HER Success" the event celebrated and encouraged the graduating women entrepreneurs to continue in the pursuit of their goals, by championing their own success.

The programme, which was launched earlier this year on International Womens Day, saw more than 500 women entrepreneurs submitting their applications for selection Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 28th November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 29th November 2023 

WEATHER:  

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy. The isolated shower is possible during the evening period and overnight. 

Forecast High: 31C / 88F                 Forecast Low: 26C / 79F 

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:26 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Easterly with a light to moderate breeze of 6 to 14 mph. 

SYNOPSIS:  The Atlantic high-pressure system remains the dominant feature across the region Read more

Youth Activist From Sint Maarten Travels To Un Climate Conference Thanks To Local Support From Nagico, Grant Thornton.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Riddhi Samtani, a youth activist and Sint Maartener will be representing the island at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023. Part of the 35-strong Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy (CCJLA) founded earlier this year by Island Innovation and the Open Society Foundations (OSF), Samtani was one of 10 cohort members selected to take part at COP28. While in Dubai the group will participate in panel discussions, meet international delegates, and interact with other young climate leaders, providing them with additional skills and experience they can leverage to further their own work in the Caribbean.

Keen to support local activists representing their communities on the international stage, is NAGICO Insurances, a leading insurer in the Caribbean that paid almost 1 Billion USD to the Caribbean community after Hurricanes Irma and Maria and contributed significantly to an improved and more resilient region Read more

Julian Rollocks Jr Empowers Women Entrepreneurship

Sucker Garden, St. Maarten — URSM candidate #9 Mr. Julian Rollocks Jr has always been a staunch supporter of local entrepreneurship and the economic empowerment of the people of St. Maarten. In October, he put his entrepreneurial expertise to good use by offering a beautician and cosmetics workshop to more than 100 women with young professional Makayla Peterson at his headquarters in Sucker Garden.

The workshop, which culminated on the 24th of November, consisted of 15 sessions of cosmetic care and makeup application classes Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- URSM candidate #9 Mr. Julian Rollocks Jr has always been a staunch supporter of local entrepreneurship and the economic empowerment of the people of St. Maarten. In October, he put his entrepreneurial expertise to good use by offering a beautician and cosmetics workshop to more than 100 women with young professional Makayla Peterson at his headquarters in Sucker Garden Read more

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Chokehold Movie Delivers The Message That Domestic Violence Is Unacceptable

The Chokehold cast at the Friday press conference: from left; Simeon Henderson, Enyinne Nwigwe, Director Joel Ayuk (standing), Kenneth Okolie, Oremeyi Kareem, and Sherando Ferril. (Robert Luckock photo).

 MARIGOT--Timed to coincide with International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women, the premiere of locally-produced and -directed film Chokehold, written and directed by Joel Ayuk, took place at Caribbean Cinemas on Saturday night with the main actors in attendance.

Replicating a Hollywood premiere with red carpet, photo calls and a VIP reception, the international cast were dressed to the nines for the occasion.

Among prominent personalities from the community, Vice Presidents of the Collectivit Alain Richardson, Bernadette Davis and Dominique Louisy were present to support the film, as well as Territorial Councillor Martine Beldor.

Anticipating a large turnout, the 1-hour film produced by CANI TV Studios was shown in two theatres Read more

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Working In The Caribbean Information Session For The National Career Fair.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Minister Plenipotentiary, Rene Violenus, and his cabinet have reached out both to the Council of Ministers and the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) regarding one of their economic outreach activities that has the potential of contributing to the labor market issue on Sint Maarten, namely De Nationale Carrirebeurs Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Monday 27th November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 28th November 2023 

WEATHER:  

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Variably cloudy.  

Forecast High: 30C / 86F                 Forecast Low: 26C / 79F 

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:26 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 6 to 14 mph. 

SYNOPSIS:   

The Atlantic high-pressure system remains the dominant feature across the region.
Long period northeasterly swells continue to affect regional waters Read more

Oranje School Implements Remote Learning Plan During Repair Work

Oranje School is under repair, as can be seen from the scaffolding that was put into place for the upgrade works.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel has provided an update on the ongoing repair and upgrade work at Oranje School. The school is currently undergoing necessary repairs, w Read more

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Sarah: The Outcome Of The Dutch Election Not Necessarily All Doom And Gloom.

Over the weekend, the DP leader shared her thoughts on the results of the election in the Netherlands.

The results of the November 22nd Dutch election are in and many words have been used to describe the unexpected outcome. Political pundits are hard at work, analyzing the political shifts that seemed to have occurred in the last weeks leading up to the election, the MP stated.

In the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom and in many European countries, the election outcome, which has put Wilders and his PVV on the center stage, has generated much anxiety.

WILDERS and the PVV are not exactly friends of any of us, MP Wescot opined.

For years, Wilders has been a hard right-wing politician, who now finds himself in a position to do what he has constantly accused his opponents of not doing and he has been propelled into a position to uphold his views and execute his agenda Read more

PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):--- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, is pleased with the progress being made at the Oranje School.
There are several repair and upgrade works currently being executed at the Oranje School, and these repairs are to be completed by December 31, 2023.
The contractor who has been assigned the Roof Repair work would have to work during school hours in order to meet the deadline mentioned Read more

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