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Dutch Police Now Include Internet In Phone Taps

Whatsapp-messages are protected by privacy rules

St. Maarten – Dutch police now automatically intercept internet traffic when setting up a telephone tap, online magazine Computerworld reported yesterday. The news was buried in the justice ministry’s annual report which was published in May and has only now been made public, the website states.

In St. Maarten tapping IP-addresses, for instance to intercept email traffic, is technically possible, press prosecutor Karola van Nie told this newspaper yesterday Read more

Mp George Pantophlet Questions Relevance Of Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Member of Parliament of the National Alliance, the Honorable George Pantophlet is questioning the significance of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

Speaking to our news department he asked whether or not there was a need for such an institution.

According to the MP, several institutions have already been established on the island, and he did not see the need for another one that will further have financial consequences for the country.

He also spoke of the steps being taken by the prosecutor's office to carry out an investigation into activities at the St Read more

Mp George Pantophlet Questions Relevance Of Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Member of Parliament of the National Alliance, the Honorable George Pantophlet is questioning the significance of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

Speaking to our news department he asked whether or not there was a need for such an institution.

According to the MP, several institutions have already been established on the island, and he did not see the need for another one that will further have financial consequences for the country.

He also spoke of the steps being taken by the prosecutor's office to carry out an investigation into activities at the St Read more

I Am Sxm Arranges Cleaning Up Solution For Zoo

MADAME ESTATE, St. Maarten  – I AM SXM Foundation has brought together two of the country's garbage collecting and cleaning companies to assist St. Maarten Zoo with its extensive maintenance and cleaning work.

Leonard Enterprise and Soualiga Waste Management, though the intercession of I AM SXM, have committed to cleaning maintenance of the zoo every two weeks. Crews from both companies will work together on a selected day to ensure the zoo is in tiptop shape.

Adding to the bi-weekly cleaning, the two companies will do a general maintenance every month.

The combination of the cleaning days is expected to keep the zoo in a manageable and beautiful state for its full-time occupants and its visitors.

The current cleaning commitment from the two companies to the zoo is for seven months.

St Read more

I Am Sxm Arranges Cleaning Up Solution For Zoo

MADAME ESTATE, St. Maarten  – I AM SXM Foundation has brought together two of the country's garbage collecting and cleaning companies to assist St. Maarten Zoo with its extensive maintenance and cleaning work.

Leonard Enterprise and Soualiga Waste Management, though the intercession of I AM SXM, have committed to cleaning maintenance of the zoo every two weeks. Crews from both companies will work together on a selected day to ensure the zoo is in tiptop shape.

Adding to the bi-weekly cleaning, the two companies will do a general maintenance every month.

The combination of the cleaning days is expected to keep the zoo in a manageable and beautiful state for its full-time occupants and its visitors.

The current cleaning commitment from the two companies to the zoo is for seven months.

St Read more

Editorial - Jurisprudence

The application of rulings by the Joint Court of Justice regarding the American-Dutch Friendship Treaty of 1956 (see related article) should not go unnoticed. It’s actually a bit ironic that this now takes place in Curaçao, while the related case started in St. Maarten.

Then-Justice Minister Roland Duncan had appealed the original verdict, but reportedly lost Read more

Connor welcomes delegates to Archaeology Conference

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications Claret Connor welcomed delegates to the International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology (IACA) that opened in Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino on Monday. The conference, which ends on Saturday, brought together more than 200 delegates from 23 countries.

Research papers, guest lectures, field trips on island and to Anguilla, and cultural receptions are part of the congress Read more

Escalated fight leads to shots fired near harbour

POINTE BLANCHE--A fight between taxi drivers, most likely illegal drivers, right outside the gates of Port St. Maarten escalated mid-last week and two shots reportedly were fired.

Detectives are working the case, confirmed acting police spokesperson Inspector Steven Carty. However, he said the details were still sketchy and no arrests had been made.

Police were called to the scene after the shots were fired Read more

Ombudsman registered 68 new complaints in 2014

PHILIPSBURG--The Ombudsman Bureau registered 68 new complaints in 2014 while four cases from 2012 and 24 from 2013 were handled last year. A total of 130 investigations were closed in 2014, of which 54 were new complaints registered from that year.

In 30 cases, the Ombudsman issued recommendations, according to the bureau's Year Report 2014. Some 26 to 43 per cent of the 62 recommendations were followed up by the year's end by government.

A highlight for the past year was Ombudsman Nilda Arduin making use of her competence provided for by law to inform Parliament immediately upon closing the investigation of a case regarding the findings and the decision.

By letter of June 10, 2014, the Ombudsman reported, pursuant to article 23 of the National Ordinance Ombudsman, to Parliament regarding the findings in a complaint filed by a resident against Kadaster and Hypotheekwezen (Land Titles and Mortgages) Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- As the uproar continues within the United Peoples Party (UPP) since most Members of Parliament from the UPP faction are in disagreement with their leader Theodore Heyliger, at least two Members of Parliament from the UPP faction and two of their coalition partners have decided to take the bull by its horns to do the work of the people.
SMN News understands that some of the UPP MP’s are saying that their leader is not leading the country instead he is always off island making his business deals which is causing serious problems within the party.
Therefore MP Franklin Meyers who is the deputy leader of the UPP and faction leader took the bull by its horns and decided along with MP Tamara Leonard, coalition partners Independent Members of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo and Cornelius de Weever and presented their governing program to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in the presence of Minister Claret Connor on July 16th 2015 Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:-----  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, spoke at the opening of the International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology (IACA) at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
The IACA is being hosted by St. Maarten from July 19-25. The IACA Congress is the largest gathering of professional archaeologists specializing in Caribbean studies in the world, with representatives from over 23 countries and over 300 delegates; it is the place to be for cutting-edge research information about heritage in the Caribbean.
Minister Connor during his address stated: “It is remarkable to observe that 26 years ago to be exact was the last time since this Congress was held on Dutch soil, and today you are here on St Read more

Cruise Ship Passenger Hospitalized after hitting Taxi on Beacon Hill Road --- Jet Blast Experience leaves visitor with broken collar bone and injured forehead.

style="text-align: center;">Taxi Driver cooperated and settle for less than cost of damages.

Cay Hill:--- A female passenger from Liberty Cruise line that was at the end of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) to experience the jet blast from departing aircraft ended up hitting a taxi and broke its front lights. The passenger also suffered injuries to her forehead that had to be stitched while she also suffered with a broken collar bone.
The incident took place sometime on Monday Read more

International Association For Caribbean Archaeology Opens 26Th Congress On St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The 26th congress of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology was officially opened on St. Maarten Monday morning.

Hundreds of delegates from the wider Caribbean are currently on the island for the congress which opening ceremony was attended by officials from Host St. Maarten north and south, Anguilla and Guadeloupe.

Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs in his opening address welcomed the congress attendees to the island whilst sharing with them information on the strong bonds that exist between the islands.

Also in attendance on Monday morning was Cathrine Questal, the honorable Minister of Culture on St Read more

International Association For Caribbean Archaeology Opens 26Th Congress On St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The 26th congress of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology was officially opened on St. Maarten Monday morning.

Hundreds of delegates from the wider Caribbean are currently on the island for the congress which opening ceremony was attended by officials from Host St. Maarten north and south, Anguilla and Guadeloupe.

Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs in his opening address welcomed the congress attendees to the island whilst sharing with them information on the strong bonds that exist between the islands.

Also in attendance on Monday morning was Cathrine Questal, the honorable Minister of Culture on St Read more

Multi-Annual Programme Caribbean Netherlands 2015- 2018

BES Islands - The Public Entity of Saba has indicated during the CN Week that, as for matters relating to content which specifically concern Saba, the Multi-Annual programme (MAP) underlines the importance of the island's further development.

Many projects in the area of economic development, children's rights and poverty reduction are either in progress or will be launched. Therefore the MAP is a basis for a joint effort, the Netherlands and Saba, to increase Saba's level of provision.

The Public Entity has also expressed the wish to evaluate the CN Week and to engage a more bilateral conversation with the Netherlands.

Finally, Saba is appreciative of the investment assignment which the MAP entails but it has underlined that a decision on structural financing of the maintenance costs has not yet been reached.

Introduction
This is an initial integrated Multi-Annual Programme of the Cabinet and Executive Councils Read more

Multi-Annual Programme Caribbean Netherlands 2015- 2018

BES Islands - The Public Entity of Saba has indicated during the CN Week that, as for matters relating to content which specifically concern Saba, the Multi-Annual programme (MAP) underlines the importance of the island's further development.

Many projects in the area of economic development, children's rights and poverty reduction are either in progress or will be launched. Therefore the MAP is a basis for a joint effort, the Netherlands and Saba, to increase Saba's level of provision.

The Public Entity has also expressed the wish to evaluate the CN Week and to engage a more bilateral conversation with the Netherlands.

Finally, Saba is appreciative of the investment assignment which the MAP entails but it has underlined that a decision on structural financing of the maintenance costs has not yet been reached.

Introduction
This is an initial integrated Multi-Annual Programme of the Cabinet and Executive Councils Read more

Sarah gets 'favourable reaction' to electoral reform proposal

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams said Sunday that her proposal on electoral reform has met with a "favourable reaction" from the Presidium of Parliament and as a result it will be taken up for discussion in the legislature Read more

Work to resume on bank building by mid-August

PHILIPSBURG--Renovations to the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten building on W.J.A. Nisbeth Road are slated to resume with a new contractor in mid-August.

Central Bank President Emsley Tromp said on Thursday that the Bank "hoped to finalise a contractor by the end of this month."

The renovations were started in December by then-contractor Taliesin Construction. Work halted in April after the Bank terminated the contractor prior to completion.

The contractor has since taken the bank to court for damages and full payment Read more

Notices July 20

Educational Scholarship

Be the Change Foundation is accepting applications for the first Erika Cannegieter Dream Big Educational Scholarship. The scholarship this year is up to the amount of $1,500 for a student to help pay part of any educational expenses. Interested students must be legal residents and can apply by filling out the online form at: http://bethechangesxm.com/scholarship-application. The applications must be submitted by July 20 and the winner will be announced on July 27 Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- MP Sarah Wescot Williams said in a press release on behalf of the Democratic Party faction of Parliament that she received a favorable response from the presidium of Parliament ( consisting of the Chairperson and his 2 deputies) Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake congratulates Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake in her achievement of being the first Sint Maarten-born Cardiologist, adding that she is a role model for the nation’s youth.
MP Lake further added that he would like to see a better plan of action and incentives put in place by Government when it concerns local professionals returning home to work as well as those who are already here working on the island.
“We have a lot of local professionals who work in Government and the private sector who are still waiting to get some type of response or incentives from Government (especially from the Personnel Department) for returning back to the island after their studies to help build up this country.
“I am very concerned of this trend where we focus and give better incentives package for other professionals from abroad, rather than focus on what we can do for our own local professionals who come back home Read more

The unraveling GEBE saga is symptomatic of a larger problem.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams said she considers the conflict between the Supervisory Board of Directors and the MD/CEO of NV GEBE more of a labor issue or a conflict between employer and employee, the relationship between the Shareholder (the government of St. Maarten) and its company's supervisory board deserves closer scrutiny and should be a concern ti everyone on St Read more

11 Dutch Islands Where You Can Get Away From It All

HOLLAND - Looking for an island escape, but no time or money to head to the Caribbean? If you aren't too fussed about getting a tan, why not head to a Dutch island.

Fresh air, cycle paths, nature and long beaches – and most of the Dutch islands are only a short ferry ride away.

Pampus: an artificial island constructed in the late 19th century in the IJmeer lake, close to Amsterdam. One of four forts commissioned as part of the Stelling van Amsterdam (Defence Line of Amsterdam), it had the capacity to accommodate 200 men but was only fully utilised during WWI.

The Wadden Islands

Terschelling: with approximately 20,000 tourist beds, Terschelling is the largest and most visited Wadden Island.

Head west from the main town centre of West Terschelling to experience untamed nature and long white beaches.

In June, the island hosts the 10-day Oerol festival, attracting many visitors to the art and theatre performances taking place across the island.

Vlieland: smaller, less densely populated than the neighbouring islands, yet only 90 minutes by ferry from Harlingen in Friesland.

Vlieland entices visitors with its serenity and nature, extensive network of cycle paths, and the promise of 20% more sunny days than the mainland Read more

11 Dutch Islands Where You Can Get Away From It All

HOLLAND - Looking for an island escape, but no time or money to head to the Caribbean? If you aren't too fussed about getting a tan, why not head to a Dutch island.

Fresh air, cycle paths, nature and long beaches – and most of the Dutch islands are only a short ferry ride away.

Pampus: an artificial island constructed in the late 19th century in the IJmeer lake, close to Amsterdam. One of four forts commissioned as part of the Stelling van Amsterdam (Defence Line of Amsterdam), it had the capacity to accommodate 200 men but was only fully utilised during WWI.

The Wadden Islands

Terschelling: with approximately 20,000 tourist beds, Terschelling is the largest and most visited Wadden Island.

Head west from the main town centre of West Terschelling to experience untamed nature and long white beaches.

In June, the island hosts the 10-day Oerol festival, attracting many visitors to the art and theatre performances taking place across the island.

Vlieland: smaller, less densely populated than the neighbouring islands, yet only 90 minutes by ferry from Harlingen in Friesland.

Vlieland entices visitors with its serenity and nature, extensive network of cycle paths, and the promise of 20% more sunny days than the mainland Read more