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Frank Mingo passes away in Colombia, flags at half-mast

PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away at a hospital in Medellin, Colombia, at 11:50pm on Friday, August 14. He was 68.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Claret Connor and the Port expressed condolences to the Mingo family on his passing.

Connor also extended condolences to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Regina Labega on the passing of her mother Lillian Mildred Labega-Rohan, also on Friday.

Mingo was a well-known businessman in St Read more

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Chef Dino takes St. Maarten flavours to South America

CUPECOY--Colombia will experience the culinary excellence for which St. Maarten is known when the island’s Iron Chef Dino Jagtiani of Temptation restaurant demonstrates his culinary alchemy at the 2015 Sabor Barranquilla gastronomic event in South America, August 21-23.

Jagtiani is only international chef at the event from the Caribbean. Other invited international chefs include Chefs Mikel Alonso of Spain, Narda Lepes and Marcelino Gómez of Argentina Read more

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Impressed journalists already creating a buzz

AIRPORT--The international aviation and travel writers brought to St. Maarten by Princess Juliana International Airport SXM for a media tour this week have started to create a buzz in media coverage, even before leaving. The whirlwind trip has left them with plenty of material to write about what they have experienced personally as unique traits of travel in St. Maarten and hub partners Saba and St. Barths.

The 11 hand-picked journalists will be submitting their stories to more than 30 international media outlets and while some story ideas were pre-planned, others will be based on where the wind took them.

One highlight, an impromptu and unscripted one-minute video of Domino's Pizza being delivered to Saba on Winair, already has gone viral Read more

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Ministers to visit FCCA, discuss tourism, security

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor and Justice Minister Dennis Richardson plan to meet soon with Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) officials in Florida, United States, to update them on new security measures resulting from the fatal shooting of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin, as part of efforts to curb further negative impacts the tragedy can cause to the tourism industry.

Minister Connor said during Wednesday's press briefing that he, Richardson and Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs had been continuously discussing steps to take in following up on the "life-changing" and "historic" incident.

Connor was on his way back to the island on the day of the shooting, but he contacted FCCA President Michele Paige the next day to inform her that Government "was doing everything within its power to apprehend, in first instance, those responsible, in addition to trying to save the officer's life .. Read more

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In the Hotseat with D'shany York

D'shnay Mathew York outshone five other young ladies from the six Dutch Caribbean islands at the Miss Caribbean Islands Pageant held at Festival Village in The Bottom, Saba, on July 30. The 18-year-old speaks about herself and her experience in this week's Hot Seat.

Who D'shnay York?

I am outgoing, vivacious, a little goofy, regular teenager who enjoys dancing, modelling, acting, singing and of course nurturing my biggest love, which is pageantry.

Education?

I am currently attending the academic section of St Read more

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Editorial - Perfect occasion

Today’s news that St. Maarten will host the 2015 Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) conference is most welcome. Visiting yachts have become important contributors to the local tourism economy, due in part to the annual Heineken Regatta, construction or expansion of various marinas and the widening of the drawbridge channel.

The last few years have seen some less-than-positive developments like losing the boat charter show, but overall the destination remains relatively strong in terms of its marine industry Read more

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Miami 2 St. Maarten schedule announced

PHILIPSBURG—Boxing card Miami 2 St. Maarten will feature Roy Jones Jr. against Danny Santiago at Festival Village August 29. Tickets start at US $50 with ringside seating set at $100 and a VIP table that seats 10 goes for $2,500.
 The schedule for events leading up to the fight and the after match concert were announced at a press conference at the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall yesterday.  Attending the conference were Erno Labega from the St Read more

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Sarah raises concerns about Tourism Authority

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has raised concerns about Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor’s apparent plans to disband the existing foundation governing the St Read more

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Minister to sidestep foundation to create Tourism Authority

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) Foundation has been declared obsolete. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor now says the STA will be established without the intermediary foundation due to stagnation in progress caused by delays and lack of common vision on how to move forward.

Minister Connor reacted on Monday to requests for comment in light of last week Friday’s front page story describing the foundation as being in limbo Read more

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No word yet on completion of minister candidates screening

PHILIPSBURG--It has been more than a month since the submission for screening a minister candidate to join the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet and there has not been any word about whether and when the candidate will be sworn in to office. There also has not been any information about the progress of the screening from authorities.

The candidate, who is expected to take up the post of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), is former utilities company GEBE employee Ernest Sams.

Following a successful screening, Sams is to take up that post and current minister Claret Connor is slated to move to the portfolio of Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Read more

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Editorial - The necessary guidance

The names of two proposed new ministers who are to complete the current Gumbs cabinet of five and reach the normal seven members have been leaked (see related story). It reportedly regards former GEBE employee Ernest Sams and labour mediator Raphael Boasman.

Sams is to occupy the portfolio of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), so that Claret Connor can move on to Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Read more

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Senior Carnival Queen vies in Nevis pageant

PHILIPSBURG--Senior Carnival Queen Phausha Winklaar will compete in the Ms. Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant tonight, August 3, in her capacity as Miss St. Maarten, as part of Nevis’ Culturama festival. This will be the first time she represents St. Maarten abroad.

Winklaar was sent off with best wishes by sponsors Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor and Windward Islands Airways International Winair Read more

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St. Maarten to host CONCACAF U-15

PHILIPSBURG—St. Maarten will host the CONCACAF Boys Under 15 Championship Tournament August 7 to 18.
  Members of the St. Maarten Soccer Association executive board met with the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Telecommunication and Transportation (TEATT) Claret Connor to update him on the planning progress of the tournament.
  The tournament, which has been held on Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands in the past, will consist of 15 teams from across the region, and St Read more

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