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Airport Reconstruction To Be Completed By October, Pjiae Tells Minister Of Teatt

GREAT BAY The reconstruction of the Terminal Building at Princess Juliana International Airport will be completed by this October, management of the airport assured Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication when she toured the facilities on Friday.

In her discussions with the airport management (PJIAE) team, the minister emphasized the critical importance of completing the terminal building which has been ongoing for the last seven years.

This project is vital not only for the residents of St Read more

Minister Lewis Intervenes Amid Immigration Officer Shortage At Pjia

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Saturday, May 25, 2025, an unexpected shortage of immigration officers at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) due to a mass sick call, reportedly linked to unpaid overtime, prompted immediate action from the Ministry of Justice. Justice Minister the Honorable Lyndon Lewis, also a former immigration officer, personally visited the airport to assess the situation and lend a hand. Efforts to mobilize additional officers from the mobile unit were unsuccessful, leading the Minister to step in directly alongside his former colleagues on the front lines Read more

Ursm Addresses Recent Political Developments Regarding Mp Maingrette

Philipsburg The board of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) has issued a statement regarding the recent actions of Independent Member of Parliament Kevin Maingrette Read more

PHILIPSBURGIn a letter to Prime minister Luc Mercelina, the Central Voting Bureau has announced a proposed postponement of Election Day to August 19, 2024, citing significant legal and practical concerns. The Bureau has suggested a revised timeline to ensure a fair, free, and transparent electoral process.

The revised election timeline, as proposed by the Central Voting Bureau:

Voter Registry Closure: Monday, June 3, 2024

Deadline for Registration of Political Parties: Monday, June 17, 2024

Postulation Day: Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Election Day: Monday, August 19, 2024

Assembly of New Parliament: Friday, September 20, 2024

On May 21, 2024, a National Decree was signed calling for new elections under Article 59 of the Constitution, which mandates a three-month timeframe Read more

Jansen-Webster Provides Update On Sinkhole At Cole Bay Hill

PHILIPSBURG Acting Minister of VROMI Veronica Jansen-Webster, in keeping with her remarks during the State of Affairs press briefing on Tuesday, 21 May 2024, provided an update on the status of the sinkhole that was identified on the A.J.C. Brouwers road.

First, I want to thank the public for their patience while the Department of Infrastructure Management has worked on identifying solutions for this problem, Jansen-Webster said in her statement Read more

Jansen-Webster: Permanent Damage Caused In Vromi Over Last Four Years

Deputy VROMI Minister Veronica Jansen-Webster.

~ VROMI completely without leadership ~

PHILIPSBURG--At a press conference on Tuesday acting Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Veronica Jansen-Webster painted a grim picture of the situation encountered when the new government took office.

She said the conditions under which the ministry was managed over the last four years have left permanent damage in the organisation and on civil servants Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 22nd May 2024 @ 11:50 LST (15:50 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 23rd May 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Cloudy with scattered showers. Isolated thunderstorms are likely.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:41 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:37 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: East to southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph and higher gusts in showers.SYNOPSIS: Unstable conditions associated with an upper-level trough results in cloudiness, rain-showers, and possible thunderstorms across the region Read more

Statement From Ursm On Mp Kevin MaingretteS Withdrawal From Coalition

PHILIPSBURG The board of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) publicly expresses its profound disappointment following the decision by Member of Parliament, Mr. Kevin Maingrette, to withdraw his support from the governing coalition. Mr Read more

Ursm Celebrates The Admittance Of Richinel Brug To Member Of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG The leadership and board of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) proudly announce the admittance of Mr. Richinel Brug as the newest incoming Member of Parliament once sworn Read more

Current Political Developments

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG On May 20th, 2024, Member of Parliament Mr. Kevin Maingrette (NOW) withdrew his support from the URSM/PFP/DP/NOW-coalition government and subsequently declared himself an independent Member of Parliament Read more

Ex-Cbcs President In Court On Charges Of Fraud, Money-Laundering And Bribery

Emsley Tromp

 ~ Lengthy prison sentence sought ~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG--In a court appearance in Curaao on Tuesday, Emsley Tromp, former President of the Central Bank of Curaao and St. Maarten (CBCS), defended himself against allegations of fraud stemming from his involvement in the Curaao Fashion Group (CFG). Tromp emphasised that he has meticulously maintained a separation between his roles, establishing what he described as Chinese walls to ensure ethical integrity.

Tromp is a suspect in the Hercules case Read more

Minister Of Justice, Lyndon C. J. Lewis Union Meeting

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Minister of Justice, Lyndon C. J. Lewis, convened a meeting with members of the Nationaal Algemeen Politiebond (NABP) and the Algemene Bond van Overheid & Overige Personeel Opgericht (ABVO) this Monday. The meeting, requested by the unions, served as an introductory platform for their boards and members to familiarize themselves with the Minister’s cabinet and receive an update on several pressing matters including the pending National Decrees for justice personnel. During the discussions, Minister Lewis, who has an extensive background in law enforcement and in handling HR legal issues related to the same, clarified the specifics of the phases Read more

Grisha Commends Organizers Of Pazzazz Sxm Experience

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, expressed heartfelt appreciation to both organizers and attendees of the recent Pazzazz SXM Experience. This dazzling event, held over the weekend, highlighted the island’s rich cultural tapestry and warm hospitality, creating unforgettable memories for all participants. During a signature moment of the festivities, Heyliger-Marten told the jubilant crowd, “Our island is a captivating blend of cultures, offering a unique fusion of European elegance and Caribbean vibrancy Read more

I Will Not Pay Lip Service To Agriculture, Says Grisha

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten We have treated agriculture like a bastard child, said Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications. In her inaugural address last Friday, the minister said, The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how vulnerable we are when we depend almost exclusively on imported food to feed ourselves. I am announcing now that agriculture will receive the attention it deserves Read more

Cabinet Mercelina Prioritizes Inclusiveness And Communication With Public Servants

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Friday morning, May 10, 2024, the Council of Ministers (CoM) met with the newly proposed Employee Engagement Council (EEC), composed of 17 members from various departments and executing bodies within government. This initiative follows an independent employee satisfaction survey and recent exit interviews. The EEC analysed the survey results, which highlighted concerns over primary labor conditions, and has formulated 21 recommendations aimed at four specific target groups: colleagues, middle management, secretary generals, and political leaders, along with six general recommendations. Key priorities identified include enhancing open communication, implementing the full human resource cycle throughout the government, and increasing transparency through the publication of annual plans and quarterly progress reports, which are supported by monthly updates from middle management Read more

Grisha To Have Quick Scan Of Teatt, Says Economy Far From Its Best Shape

GREAT BAY Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has signaled that she will have a quick scan done to give a more realistic picture of what our current (economic) situation actually is.

In her inaugural address Friday, May 3, 2024, the new TEATT minister, the 12th since 2010, said, it does not take a rocket scientist to see that our economy is far from its best shape.

True, we have faced some unprecedented challenges in the last decade, including the incredible devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the global shutdown brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 Read more

Say One, Say Two, Say The Thing

Dear Editor,

The editorial in the Daily Herald newspaper of Friday, May 10th, 2024 titled Bad apples regarding what the editor considers a major decision of the new Minister of Justice, Lyndon Lewis (NOW) whereas he announced his decisive action to correct justice workers suspensions. In so doing the new Minister of Justice intends to alleviate staff shortages and ensure fair labor practices Read more

Film Director Joel Ayuk: I Like To Think IVe Opened Doors For Film-Making In St. Martin

Joel Ayuk (right) with Nigerian actor Enyinne Nwigwe who plays policeman husband Mike in the film with their respective Best Screenplay and Best Male Actor awards at the Cameroon International Film Festival.

 

By Robert Luckock

MARIGOT--Joel Ayuk, director, writer and producer of the well-received domestic violence drama Chokehold, is set to depart for the 77th Cannes Film Festival in France, the most prestigious of all the film festivals, joining an array of international film directors, judges, revered actors and A-list celebrities.

The full-length movie Chokehold was filmed entirely in St Read more

Carnival Restructuring Policy Released In National Gazette

PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Justice, under the guidance of former Minister Anna Richardson, has published a new policy aimed at restructuring St. Maarten Carnival.

As stated in the recent publication of the National Gazette, the decision followed in response to a number of challenges currently facing the annual event, including inconsistent management structures, financial instability, under-representation of local culture, safety concerns and the need for better integration of technological advancements Read more

Minister Of Justice, Addresses Urgent Situation At New Start For Children Foster Home

SAUNDERS, Sint Maarten — In response to recent developments regarding the structural integrity concerns at New Start for Children Foster Home in Mary’s Fancy, the Minister of Justice, Lyndon C.J. Lewis, in collaboration with the Foundation Judicial Institutes St. Maarten (SJIS), is taking swift action to ensure the safety and well-being of the foster children residing there.

The recent article published in The Daily Herald Newspaper on Monday, May 6, 2024, brought to light the critical situation faced by 19 foster children who may soon need to relocate due to cracks in the building walls and foundation of the foster home Read more

To All The Mothers Of St. Maarten, We Thank God For You.

Thank God for that one Sunday in May where we get the opportunity to pour extra love and adoration upon you. We are given the opportunity to remind you that you’ve been the architect of our dreams and the backbone of our families. You’ve laughed with us in joy, and wiped away our tears in sorrow, you’ve been the comforting embrace we seek.

The Caribbean mother has always been a figure of immense power and beauty and a fierce protector. You have shown us that wisdom doesn’t always come from books, but often from the lived experience Read more

Carnival 2024 Wraps Up Challenging Year

~ Carnival 2025 scheduled from April 21 to May 5 ~

PHILIPSBURG--After a year filled with unprecedented challenges, St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has closed the 53rd edition of Carnival.

Despite facing various obstacles, the SCDF expressed gratitude for being able to reach the finish line, with SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki saying in a press release on Sunday, This can never happen again, this is not who we are.

Reflecting on a Carnival that looked and felt different from previous years, Radjouki referred to the division of Carnival people by one individual to please that individuals personal feelings Read more

Desiree Winkel holding the St. Maarten flag at the summit of Mera Peak in the Himalayas. Via Winkels Instagram.

 

KATHMANDU, Nepal--Readers of our Special Editions and sport aficionados all over St. Maarten will be familiar with Desiree Winkels seven-summit project. Currently in Nepal, where she travelled to conquer another two summits, both over 6,000 metres high, Winkel has experienced extreme highs and lows within a few short days Read more

Lengthy Sentences For Perpetrators Of Old Street Area Jewelry Store Robbery

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Court of First Instance has handed down lengthy sentences to two serial perpetrators of an armed robbery that took place in the area of Old Street on December 2, 2023.

In its verdict of Friday, April 26, the Court meted out a 10-year sentence to perpetrator A.H. and a nine-year sentence to his co-perpetrator R.W. The sentences handed down by the Court reflected the demands made by the prosecutor when the case was handled in Court.

The masked two men committed the armed robbery on the jewelry store in Philipsburg in the early afternoon of December 2, 2023 Read more