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 DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 17th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 18th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Hot and slightly hazy with likely showers. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81F Sunset Today: 6:12 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M. SURFACE WINDS:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 08 to 18 mph. SYNOPSIS:Continued improvement in visibility and air quality is expected, as the plume of Saharan dust departs the area Read more

Mp Ottley: Hap Diagnostic Centre Closure Step Backward For Healthcare

PHILIPSBURG--If you have administrative challenges, fix them, but do not punish the people of St. Maarten, says former Minister of Health, Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley.

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 DATE ISSUED: Monday 16th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 17th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Hot and hazy. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82F Sunset Today: 6:13 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:01 A.M. SURFACE WINDS:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph. SYNOPSIS:Relatively dry and stable conditions persist and maintain hot and sunny conditions Read more

In Light Of Global Financial Market Expectations Cbcs Reduces The Pledging Rate

Willemstad/Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to ease its monetary policy stance by reducing the pledging rate1 by 0.50 percentage point to 5.25%. This decision is based on the solid and stable foreign exchange position and import coverage in the monetary union, and the expected reduction of the federal funds rate. However, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBCS will continue monitoring the domestic and international economic developments closely, particularly the key indicators for monetary policy in the union, and will adjust its policy if necessary.

According to the latest projection, the deficit on the current account of the balance of payments of the monetary union is expected to drop from 15.8% of GDP in 2023 to 13.9% in 2024, due mainly to an increase in net current transfers from abroad, stated executive director, Dr Read more

SlaS With School Bus Operators, StudentTransportation Management System Approved

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Demissionair Minister Lyndon Lewis has signed several Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with bus operators providing school transportation services on St. Maarten. These agreements aim to standardize and improve the management of school bus services on the island.

The SLAs are comprehensive and address key issues such as:

Established routes Standards for both buses and drivers Responsibilities regarding bus operations and the supervision of students Remuneration and insurance requirements Other relevant operational matters

In addition to the signing of the SLAs, Minister Lewis is also pleased to announce that the Council of Ministers has approved the introduction of the Student Transportation Management System Read more

Lewis Receives Quality Inspection Report ForPublic Schools: Urgent Improvements Needed

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — A comprehensive Quality Inspection Report has been conducted and presented to Demissionair Minister of Education Lyndon Lewis by the Inspectorate of Education. The report, finalized in June 2024, examines the quality of education in public schools across St. Maarten and provides detailed recommendations for improvement.

The inspection, which took place between October 2023 and March 2024, included lesson observations, interviews, and desk research Read more

Lewis Announces Subsidy ForSt. Maarten Folksong Project

Anastacia Larmonie

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Demissionaire Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport Lyndon Lewis has announced the approval of an incidental subsidy for the amount of ANG 129,682.08, which will be used to produce a book of original St. Maarten folksongs, record these songs, and document the process, including interviews with renowned music educator Mrs Read more

Govt. Allocates Funds For Sweet SMaatin Land Folksong Recording And Songbook

Music educator Anastacia Larmonie.

PHILIPSBURG--Caretaker Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Lyndon Lewis has announced the approval of a subsidy of NAf. 129,682.08 for a cultural project. The funds will be used to produce a book of original St Read more

Agreements Signed With School Bus Operators, Transportation Management System Approved

Caretaker ECYS Minister Lyndon Lewis (left) signing a service-level agreement with representatives of a school bus operator.

PHILIPSBURG--Caretaker Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Lyndon Lewis has signed several service-level agreements (SLAs) with school bus operators in St Read more

Ser Elects Harlec Doran As Chairman, Judensy Coffie Elected As Vice-Chairman

HARBOR VIEW After a 16-month hiatus the Social Economic Council (SER) was reinstated on Monday, August 5th, 2024. On Thursday, September 5th, 2024, Mr. Harlec Doran representing the independent members on the Board, was elected as Chairman of the SER by his fellow board members. The SER is an independent advisory organization of Sint Maarten Read more

Unbelievable ~~~To Say The Least~~~

Dear Editor,

It is with great admiration that I watch the interview done by Mr. Oral Gibbs with the Minister of Justice Mr. Lyndon Lewis a few days ago. It was interesting to listen to all that the Minister had to say regarding his position after the results of the last election.

What baffled me (and I guess many others) was the expression by the Minister about the performance of the Chief of Police, Mr Read more

Isaiah Peterson Awarded 2024 President Of Parliament Award.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten During the reception on the occasion of the new Parliamentary Year, a youth is awarded the President of Parliament Award for exemplary behavior, leadership skills as well as their contribution to thecommunity. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A.Wescot-Williams announced Mr Read more

Grisha Weighs In On Viral Taxi Driver Video, Invites Visitors Back To The Island

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten The video of an incident involving a taxi driver (Taxi 53) and some visitors, which went viral on several media platforms on Monday, September 2, 2024 was immediately brought to my attention, said Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT).

I instructed the relevant departments of my Ministry to investigate the matter thoroughly Read more

Island Initiatives To Restore Coral Reefs

Each of the six islandsAruba, Bonaire, Curaao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maartenhas taken unique and proactive measures to address the challenges facing their reefs. The restoration efforts by local nature conservation organizations were presented during the recent Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Reef Restoration Workshop and are critical in ensuring the health and longevity of these underwater treasures for many years to come.

Aruba: Building a Future for Coral Reefs

Arubas reef restoration efforts are spearheaded by the Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF), which has been actively working to revive and sustain the island’s coral ecosystems Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Friday 13th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 14th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.Tonight through Saturday morning: Partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:16 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Easterly to southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 06 to 14 mph and higher gusts possible.SYNOPSIS: A surface trough will cause cloudiness, showers and a chance of thunderstorms across the region Read more

Port Set To Achieve Major Milestones In Home-Porting And Cargo Operations

PHILIPSBURG--Port St. Maarten is fully committed to becoming a greener port, aligning with the maritime industry's goals for zero emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten revealed to Parliament on Thursday.

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 DATE ISSUED: Thursday 12th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 13th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:17 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Southeasterly to east northeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 04 to 13 mph.SYNOPSIS: Moisture and instability associated with an approaching low pressure system will cause showers, some of which may be heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, particularly during the latter part of this forecast period Read more

Taxi Driver In Viral Video Suspended For 30 Days, Visitor Invited Back To Island

TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten

PHILIPSBURG--The video of an incident involving the driver of taxi 53 and some visitors, which went viral on several media platforms on Monday, September 2, was immediately brought to the attention of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 11th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 12th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Hot and humid despite isolated showers.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:18 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: North to easterly with a light to gentle breeze of 04 to 12 mph.SYNOPSIS: A moist but stabilizing atmosphere remains in the wake of a trough Read more

Governor Outlines Govt.S Plans At Opening New Parliamentary Year

Members of Parliament during the session.

 ~ Robust post pandemic recovery ~

PHILIPSBURG--The establishment of a sustainable solid waste management system; the restructuring and redesign of the tax system and stimulating the agricultural sector are amongst the list of the policies to be pursued by government in the new term (see related stories).

Governor Ajamu Baly outlined the plans during his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 parliamentary year on Tuesday Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 10th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 11th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Variably cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.Tonight, through Wednesday midday: Variably cloudy with scattered showers. There is a low chance of thunder.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:18 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: East to southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Moist and unstable conditions continue, as a mid- to upper-level trough accounts for periodic showers, and thunderstorms today Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Monday, 9th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 10th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:19 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Lingering moisture and instability trailing a recent tropical wave will cause cloudy periods, isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms across the region Read more

Finance Min. Presents Amended Ennia Agreement, Country To Save Naf. 37M

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs in Parliament on Friday.

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs presented Parliament with an addendum to the Ennia Outline Agreement on Friday and urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to approve the amended agreement, which she said will save the country approximately NAf Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Friday, 6th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 7th September 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Occasionally cloudy with isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.Tonight through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy at first, becoming increasingly cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:22 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:59 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: East-northeasterly to east-southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 9 to 15 mph and higher gusts near showers.SYNOPSIS: Instability and moisture associated with an approaching tropical wave will cause cloudiness, showers and thunderstorms across the region, particularly during the latter part of this forecast period Read more