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Guyana’S Model Green Town Reflects Ambitious National Plan

BARTICA, Guyana – At the head of Guyana’s Essequibo River, 50 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, you will find the town of Bartica. Considered the gateway to Guyana’s interior, the town has a population of about 15,000 and is the launching point for people who work in the forests mining gold and diamonds.

Under a new project, Bartica is to benefit from the installation of a 20Kwp grid connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system at the 3-Mile Secondary School along with the installation of energy efficient lighting, as well as light-emitting diode (LED) street lighting.

The Ministry of the Presidency (MotP), through the Office of Climate Change, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) in Bartica earlier this month.

The Partnership, which is being funded by the Government of Japan to the tune of 15 million dollars, supports countries in advancing the process of improving energy security planning for adaptation to climate change.

Head of the Office of Climate Change within the Ministry of the Presidency Janelle Christian said the partnership comes at an opportune time as it helps to advance the vision of President David Granger for Bartica to be developed as a model ‘green’ town.

“The J-CCCP project and the support that Guyana has been benefiting from and continues to benefit from is set within the framework of the ‘Green’ State Development Strategy (GSDS)… The pilot initiative that will be implemented in Bartica is a direct response to the President’s pronouncement on Bartica becoming the first model ‘green’ town,” she said.

The GSDS provides a framework for national development plans and policies for climate action.

Christian said that the implementation of the J-CCCP supports the government’s commitment to transitioning to the use of 100 percent renewable energy in public institutions by 2025.

“These initiatives have to date, through budgetary support and also resources that we have been able to leverage through our development partners, already started taking effect,” she said.

“The project here in Bartica is not unique to Bartica but it is part of that national programme where we would’ve already seen through the leadership of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) some schools being installed with photovoltaic system (PVs).

“Further, under the Ministry of Communities, I believe as part of the initiative for all of the townships, there is and has been budgeted resources for installation of LED street lighting and we felt that those projects must align with those national plans with respect to our achievement and implementation of those commitments that we have made,” Christian added.

United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Mikiko Tanaka said that the launching of the Partnership is in line with Guyana’s ‘green’ development trajectory Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- "My day was made", to use a colloquial expression, with the announcement by our Finance Minister that my proposal as approved in 2 unanimous motions of Parliament regarding the English language was being followed up upon by the government of St. Maarten.

The first motion on this topic was of September 17, 2015, and instructs the government to come up with "a plan to establish English as the first and 'mother tongue' language for St. Maarten.
The motion continued to ask for a plan to accomplish the aforementioned, with specific attention for the promotion of the English language in the civil service of St Read more

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Breaking News: Remains Found In Galisbay And Belair Are Identified

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Reliable information reaching 721news reported that the two remains found in Galisbay and Belair belongs to two missing persons in the “Mars” case. According to information reaching 721news, families were notified by police about the findings.

The body found in a container on the port of Galisbay on the French side, and the one in Belair have been positively matched – through DNA identification – to the two missing men Luis Diaz-Sarante and Edwin Rosario in the “Mars” case.

On Monday, December 5, 2016, Luis David Sarante-Diaz also known as “Blanco” and Edwin Rosario Contreras also known as “Eggy,” were last seen during the afternoon in the vicinity of Simpson Bay Resort.

In a previous press release, Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said, “These two men were never seen or heard from since the disappearance Read more

MARIGOT:---The French Carnival committee (FCDSM) members held elections for a new Executive Board during their annual general meeting on Monday, June 26th, 2017.

Luciana RASPAIL, who has been the General Secretary of the committee from 2013-2017, has been elected as the incoming President of FCSM for the next 3 years. The incoming Executive Board Members are President; Luciana RASPAIL, Vice-President; Alex PIERRE, General Secretary; Maeva JAMES, Assistant Secretary; Rosine FRANCILLETTE, Treasurer; Claudine MINGAU, Assistant Treasurer; Serge WEINUM, Children Parade Commission; Kathy AFRICA and Adult Parade Commission; Ricardo GUMBS.

The incoming executive board comprises of mainly past board members who have a vase knowledge of culture with years of experience Read more

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Gebe To Commence Trench And Road Work As Of Monday August 7Th.

PHILIPSBURG:--- NV GEBE announces that starting on Monday the 07th August 2017, there will be trench and road work activities taking place at the Yrausquin Boulevard and Buncamper Street starting at the Point Blanche cargo terminal to the Freedom Fighters roundabout near Sundial School.
The works will be carried out by Windward Roads and will be executed in collaboration with The Ministry of VROMI, Cable TV, Telem, and UTS to install the main water line, sewerage, high voltage cables and other utilities.
The project has been divided into sections which are as follows:

• Easement to Water Tank Point Blanche.
• Trenching Phase 1: Cargo Entrance – Dock Maarten (Chesterfields) - (Total 742 m)
• Trenching Phase 2: Dock Maarten (Chesterfields) – Emmaplein (total 508 m)
• Trenching Phase 3: Emmaplein – Freedom Fighters round-About (Total 409 m)
• Trenching Phase 4: Sewerage from W.G Read more

Pond Island:--- TelEm Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Kendall Dupersoy, has fulfilled one of his early promises since taking up the top position in the company – to bring TelEm Group’s Helpdesk services back to St. Maarten.

In the CEO’s view, the wrong message was being given to customers, who found themselves speaking to a helpdesk based in Curacao, rather than here on the island Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Prior to the election on September 26, 2016, two expressions dominated politics and the news, namely “ship-jumping” and “electoral reform”. Electoral reform was the reason for the fall of the Marcel Gumbs Government in 2015. Electoral reform led to the snap election that was scheduled for February 9, 2016. Electoral reform was also the reason why this election was cancelled, because the honorable Prime Minister William Marlin insisted that his government needed more time to be able to initiate legislative reform in order to address the phenomenon of ship-jumping that was so prevalent among our parliamentarians Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Mr. Rumari “King Rumer” Rogers will be competing in the upcoming Soca Monarch competition to be held in Tortola, BVI. Rogers traveled on August 2nd, and the competition will be held on August 3rd. He is currently the 3-peat Road March King of St. Maarten, and was selected to represent St. Maarten. The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Silveria Jacobs and Government of Sint Maarten, would like to wish Mr Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA Emil Lee said on Wednesday that he is still working diligently on obtaining finance for the construction of the New General Hospital. The Minister said that his hope is SZV and APS are the ones that will finance the New General Hospital. He said the two entities are ensuring that they conduct due diligence before signing off on the financing Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister responsible for Housing and Spatial Planning Christopher Emmanuel confirmed on Wednesday that he is still busy working on getting some members that were appointed to the board St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) to vacate their positions.
The Minister said he is making progress slowl Read more

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Duncan says Justice Minister should do proper research.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman confirmed on Wednesday that the Justice Academy is not a registered entity within the Justice Ministry. Minister Boasman was asked by SMN News to clarify his statements on the establishment of the Justice Academy. Asked if the diplomas issued from the institution of the years are valid and are recognized the Minister said that the establishment of the institution has nothing to do with the diplomas since the curriculum that are followed are from recognized institution Read more

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PHILIPSBURG: --- The chairman of NIPA supervisory board Antonio Aventurin buckled to severe pressure from members of the community on Wednesday and submitted his letter of resignation. Teachers at the learning institution were informed of Aventurin’s resignation on Wednesday. Aventurin and other members of the NIPA board are under severe criticism on social media after the board of NIPA terminated several local teachers, while they chose to grant a three-year contract to the daughter of the Minister of EYS at NIPA.
Several members of the community went directly after Aventurin after he dismissed the female Culinary and Arts teacher Renata De Weever who recently took students of NIPA to Miami and they did extremely well.
Minister of EYS Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing that she was highly criticized by the social media the past days for the dismissal of the teachers Read more

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Haiti To Cut International Missions Due To Economic Crisis

UNITED NATIONS – In a series of cuts made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Haiti announced its plans to reduce its diplomatic missions by 60 percent.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Rodrigue confirmed the decision Tuesday, citing the country’s budgetary issues. The minister reported that the government’s contractual staff from around the world will be the first to be cut, with more than 40 missions closing due to the economic crisis.

“For now, we spend US$4.2 million a month on missions and we want to reduce it to US$2.5 million,” the minister said in a statement.

“We are aware of the economic situation of the country and we have to act according to reality.”

The administration’s plan is to reduce its diplomatic presence worldwide and concentrate on constructing missions only where large numbers of Haitians reside Read more

Ccj Orders Release Of Men On Death Row In Barbados

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Trinidad based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), on Tuesday quashed the convictions of the two men – Vincent Edwards and Richard Haynes  â€“ who were sentenced to death for murder committed in Barbados in 2006.

The men were set free on Tuesday, after being imprisoned since 2007.

They were charged for the murder of Damien Alleyne on July 21, 2007, almost a year after Alleyne’s death on August 11, 2006.

The court records stated that Alleyne was discovered by his girlfriend not far from her residence on the night of August 11, 2006.

She told the police that she heard explosions, which sounded like gunshots and later found him lying on the road Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---- On Tuesday afternoon, August 1st, The Counsel General of The People’s Republic of China stationed in Curacao, paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister William Marlin.
Counsel General Mr. Zhang was accompanied by Mr Sun Li who works at the consulate and Mr. Cengiz Cucuk, The President of The St. Maarten China People Read more

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THE HAGUE:--- On Monday, July 31st, 2017, Minister Doran-York addressed the 34 Sint Maarten students after their in The Netherlands.
The same as last year, the Minister saw to it that the Cabinet was well represented while forming part of the welcoming team at the Airport.
Also present from the Cabinet were Deputy Minister Hasani Ellis, Cabinet Director Irene Simmons along with other members of the Cabinet waiving the Sint Maarten's Flag as the students exited the arrival hall.
Minister Doran-York addressed the students during an introductory meeting at the Steinberger Hotel, where they were transported to, immediately after their arrival.
The Minister and her staff are looking forward towards officially welcoming the students to the Cabinet upcoming Friday, August 4th where they will be addressed by Deputy Minister Hasani Ellis.
Below is the text of the address of the Minister Plenipotentiary Henrietta Doran-York to the students on Monday.

"First of all, I would like to thank the organizing body of this event, the USC, (Unified Sint Maarten Connection) for the invitation to address you here today Read more

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Good Day Welcome To Announcements From The Of The Collectivity.

MARIGOT:--- On Tuesday, August 1st, 2017, the Collectivity will start the 3rd and final phase of the rehab works at the Jean-Louis Vanterpool stadium. During this time, the intersection of Rue de Holland and the intersection of Paul Mingau Street will be closed to vehicle traffic. The deviation will be via Rue de Concordia.
The objective is to move back the wall to widen the sidewalk for the safety of pedestrians. Work will be completed August 31, 2017, before the opening of the new school year.
The Collectivity apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
The return to the four-day school week, implemented by the Education Department and officially validated by the Executive Council on Wednesday, July 26, will be implemented as of September 2017 in the schools of Saint Martin.
School hours will now be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 am to 11.30 am and from 1:30 pm to 4 pm
This return of the four-day week is accompanied by an increase in the number of extracurricular activities and supervision, in line with the commitments made by the new majority of the Collectivity.
With a contribution of 50 euros per child for the school year 2017-2018, the partnership set up with the CTOS of Saint-Martin, which has increased the training of its animators, which will guarantee students a better experience.
Various games will be offered to the children every day of the week on their lunch break; homework help will be set up every evening from 4 pm to 5 pm Read more

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Pond Island - St. Maarten’s incumbent telecommunication provider, TelEm Group, has posted a profit for the year 2016. The actual figures have been presented to the company’s Supervisory Board of Directors and the Government shareholder in recent weeks for their consideration and review and are not being made public at this time.
The announcement was made to TelEm Group personnel in a brief internal announcement Friday, in which Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Kendall Dupersoy, and Chief Financial officer (CFO) Mrs Read more

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Prime Minister Tells Investors, “We Are Open To Partnerships”

Below is the speech of Prime Minister William Marlin at the 21st Annual International African-American Hotel ownership and investment summit and trade show. This event was organized by the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD)

Honorable Mr Read more

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Tobago Gears Up To Fight Sargassum Invasion

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – As Tobago’s tourism industry struggles to repel the sargassum invasions that have smothered its beaches with massive layers of seaweed as far as the eye can see – in some places half a metre thick – and left residents retching from the stench, the island’s government is working to establish an early warning system that will alert islanders of imminent invasions so they can take defensive action.

The Deputy Director of Trinidad and Tobago’s Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), Dr Read more

Persons Insured By Szv Has To Pay Cash At Lfc. Lack Of Payment By Obs.

PHILIPSBURG/Marigot:--- Patients that are ensured by SZV St. Maarten will not be able to see a doctor even in emergency cases at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital (LCF) unless they pay the 75 Euros consultation fee cash or 100 Euros as an initial deposit if they are to be hospitalized. Management of LCF implement the new rules as of July 24th, 2017 after they were not paid by the Association Observatoire de la Santé of Saint Martin (OBS) Read more

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The 2017 Study Financing Recipients Head To The Netherlands

PHILIPSBURG – On July 30th, the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE), co-sponsored by Dominos Pizza, will host the 6th annual ‘Bon Voyage’ ceremony for all 2017 study financing recipients. The ceremony begins at 1:00p.m. and will be stationed in the departure hall. The ceremony will include dj’s, food, and drinks. Family and friends are also invited to attend this joyous ceremony.

Thirty-three (33) students will be traveling to the Netherlands to further their tertiary level education Read more

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The 2017 Study Financing Recipients Head To The Netherlands.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On July 30th, the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE), co-sponsored by Dominos Pizza, will host the 6th annual 'Bon Voyage' ceremony for all 2017 study financing recipients. The ceremony begins at 1:00p.m. and will be stationed in the departure hall. The ceremony will include dj’s, food, and drinks. Family and friends are also invited to attend this joyous ceremony.
Thirty-three (33) students will be traveling to the Netherlands to further their tertiary level education Read more

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Organized by the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers, NABHOOD
Miami, Florida, July 26 -28, 2017.

Honorable Mr. Andy Ingraham,
Founder, President, and CEO of the National Association
Of Black Hotel Owners, Operators, and Developers,
Mr. Ken Fearn,
Chairman of NABHOOD,
Board members,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.

I bring you greetings from the Friendly Island of St Read more