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Mp Lake Commends Pjl On Getting Seniors Involved In Computer Technology

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake would like commend the Philipsburg Jubilee Library (PJL) for hosting a workshop for senior citizens at St. Martin's Home about computer technology.

The Media Lab workshop was organized to assist persons who have little or no experience with computers on how to use this intelligent device.

"I heard that the seniors who took part in the workshop were very pleased and expressed great interests in the subject Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Receives A Visit From The Gagnone's Family Long-Time Tourist Visitors

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, received a courtesy visit from a childhood friend St. Maarten Air Traffic Controller Joslyn Rombley at his office last week.

Rombley wanted to introduce two long-time visitors to the island Mr. and Mrs Read more

Guenter Grass, author of The Tin Drum, dies at 87

BERLIN--German novelist Guenter Grass, the Nobel Prize-winning author of "The Tin Drum", an epic treatment of the Nazi era, died on Monday at the age of 87, his publishers said.

A broad-shouldered man with a drooping moustache, Grass spurned the German tradition of keeping a cool intellectual distance, insisting that a writer's duty was to be at the frontline of moral and political debate. For many, he was the voice of a German generation that came of age in World War Two and bore the burden of their parents' guilt for the atrocities of the Nazis.

The independent German Cultural Council called him "more than a writer .. Read more

Editorial - Lesser of two evils

It appears there might not be majority backing in Parliament for the draft ordinance to establish an Integrity Chamber. No voting has taken place yet, as the matter was discussed only in the Central Committee, so the public won't know for sure until the draft legislation is up for approval in a Plenary Session.

However, judging by the comments during Monday's meeting, several members of the coalition and even within the UP fraction have differing views on the matter Read more

Rutte, Eman meet with Raúl Castro

THE HAGUE--Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte held talks with Cuba President Raúl Castro and several Latin American leaders of government in Panama City over the weekend.

The meeting between Castro and Rutte, who was accompanied by Aruba's Prime Minister Mike Eman and Curaçao's Minister of Finance José Jardim, on Saturday evening lasted an hour and mostly focused on the historical reconciliation between Cuba and the United States of America and its consequences for the Caribbean.

"Hopefully the reconciliation will result in a more open Cuba, as well as economic growth and democratic development Read more

MPs still have reservations about Integrity Chamber

~ Meyers: Independence only choice ~

PHILIPSBURG--Several Members of Parliament (MPs) made it crystal clear on Monday that if the proposed Integrity Chamber stagnates the growth of the country and hampers St. Maarteners from prospering, the law to establish the chamber will not receive their support.

Chief among those speaking out about the draft law was coalition member MP Franklin Meyers (United People's (UP) party) Read more

St. Maarten should seek to have its own Attorney General --- Current Attorney General does not work in the interest of St. Maarten --- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson.

style="text-align: center;">Ruling Majority totally against draft ordinance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson did not mingle with words on Monday morning when he was responding to questions regarding the draft ordinance to establish the integrity chamber on St. Maarten.
On the question as to who is responsible for justice on St. Maarten, Minister Richardson said that the Minister of Justice is responsible for justice in each country, however, he made clear that St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Foresee Foundation, the leader in bringing 21st century ICT education to St. Maarten, is pleased to announce that both Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Mrs. Bourne-Gumbs, and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications, Mr. Connor, have officially endorsed the DigiKidz Project founded and operated by Foresee.
In her letter to Foresee, Minister Rita Bourne-Gumbs explains that "[w]ith the ever-changing innovations in technology and learning, we value the initiatives of the Foresee Foundation and its DigiKidz project Read more

“I will prefer dying on my feet than living on my knees, It’s time for Independence” --- MP Franklin Meyers.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Franklin Meyers who was off island on medical travelled back to St. Maarten over the weekend to ensure he got the opportunity to inform Parliament that at no point he will support the draft ordinance to establish an integrity chamber on St. Maarten presented by the Prime Minister and Minister of Justice of St Read more

Ministers Of Education And Telecommunication Pledge Support For Digikidz Project

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Foresee Foundation, the leader in bringing 21st century ICT education to St. Maarten, is pleased to announce that both Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Mrs. Bourne-Gumbs, and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications, Mr. Connor, have officially endorsed the DigiKidz Project founded and operated by Foresee.

In her letter to Foresee, Minister Rita Bourne-Gumbs explains that "[w]ith the ever-changing innovations in technology and learning, we value the initiatives of the Foresee Foundation and its DigiKidz project Read more

Obama meets Raul Castro in highest-level US-Cuba talks in decades

PANAMA CITY--U.S. President Barack Obama met Cuban President Raul Castro on Saturday in the highest-level talks between the two countries in nearly 60 years, and the two men agreed to push ahead on improving relations after decades of hostility.
  Describing their private meeting as "historic," Obama said the two countries can now end the antagonism of the Cold War era, although he said he would continue to pressure the communist-led country on democracy and human rights.
  "Obviously there are still going to be deep and significant differences between our two governments," Obama told Castro as they met in Panama, where they both attended a summit of leaders from across the Americas.
  The U.S Read more

Stop peeing on our legs please!

Dear Editor,

Politicians are peeing on our legs and telling us that it is raining! For heaven's sake, when will all of this deception cease? When will these slick politicians come to the realization that they are cornered by the Dutch and the only way out of this sticky situation is to come clean with the public. Let us face it, there is no other way! But, more and more politicians are devising ways to cope with their tricks, because what had seem so real is now beginning to crumble - their weak spot is dangling as the band-aid is almost broken.

Plain and simple: the country cannot continue being run like the Wild Wild West anymore Read more

Connor, Rutte, Mingo at Panama round table

POINTE BLANCHE/PANAMA--Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo took part in a top-level CEO Round Table Meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Panama Minister of Canal Affairs Roberto Roy and Panama Canal Authority ACP Administrator Jorge Quijano in Panama City on Sunday.

A St. Maarten delegation present was headed by Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor Read more

Local Audi branch inaugurated Friday

COLE BAY--World-renowned German car brand Audi inaugurated its St. Maarten establishment amongst business partners, dignitaries and invited guests Friday night with a formal gathering culminating in the unveiling of five luxury cars, one of which was custom-made for company Chairman Imran Mcsood Amjad.

Audi set up the new location in collaboration with Caribbean Auto in Cole Bay. Latin American Sales Manager Martin Port welcomed it to the Audi family. Imran and Managing Director Tariq Amjad shared the unique selling points of Audi and some of the history making the launch possible.

Customisation, down to the colour of the threading of the leather seats, was just one of the possibilities Tariq described Read more

Rita and Claret join support for DigiKidz

PHILIPSBURG--Foresee Foundation, founder and operator of the DigiKidz Project which aims to bring 21st century information and communications technology (ICT) education to all classrooms, announced recently that it has received the official endorsement of Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Rita Bourne-Gumbs and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor.

Foresee Foundation and the DigiKidz Project Team said they were excited and encouraged with the ministers' support.

According to Foresee President Jose Sommers, these endorsements support the core concept of Foresee (also abbreviated as "4C"): setting up innovative projects through communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, what she calls "the way forward for 21st-century learning."

The endorsements, in joining the foundation's plans to raise funds for upcoming projects, are "fully in line with the modern vision that in strong communities, government, the business sector and other organisations and non-governmental (NGOs) jointly work together on achieving the ambitious goal of bringing ICT into all classrooms in St Read more

Justice Minister calls on Dutch to prove underworld connection

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Dennis Richardson minced no words when he issued a call to the Dutch Government and anti-St. Maarten fractions in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament "to put the facts on the table" if they exist about the continuous, but so far baseless claims about St. Maarten being controlled by the "underworld."

Richardson was in the St. Maarten Parliament Friday, along with Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, to discuss the draft law to establish an integrity chamber for the council Read more

Mp Lake Commends Nv Gebe On Senior Citizens Relief Program For 2015

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake would like Government to commend NV GEBE for starting the second program bringing relief to the senior citizens of the country by reducing their electricity bills.

"I applaud NV GEBE Board of Directors and Management to continuing the relief program for seniors citizens age 62 and older for another six months.

"The first pilot senior relief program in 2014 was started when I was the Minister of Energy Affairs, and it was considered a success, and I applaud the Managing Board for continuing with the programme through the end of 2015.

"Our seniors have until May 1 to apply for the relief according to information NV GEBE submitted to the media Read more

Minister Connor Proud Of Civil Servants Taking The Oath As Servants Of The People

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (Ministry TEATT) Honorable Claret Connor was present for the oath-taking ceremony of civil servants from the Ministry TEATT that took place recently.

"I am very proud to be able to work with these professional women and men who have taken an oath to serve the people of this country.

"I have a great team to work with Read more

Free Digital Lottery Ticket Available At Funmiles.Net Entire Streets Will Win In Fun Street Lottery

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Fun Miles and its partners are going all-out these coming months, with a free lottery as it has never before been seen on our island.

The monthly drawings will not merely produce individual winners, but an entire winning street.

All Fun Miles cardholders living there will share the street prize of no less than 150,000 Fun Miles.

In addition, there are several great partner prizes, which include a BBQ Grill from Kooyman, a WIB gift card, and a gift certificate from ENNIA Read more

Audi St. Maarten Opens Doors Friday, Quality Brand And Service Comes To St. Maarten/St. Martin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Audi brand is now available on St. Maarten. Audi officially opened their doors on Friday evening with a large group of family, Friends and government officials from both French and Dutch as well as officials of the Audi brand in attendance.

Chairman of the board Imrand MacSood gave some history about the process that led up to the brand now being established on the island.

He also spoke about the hard work that went into the process, for which he gave special thanks to his son Tariq Amjad.

Apart from hard work he also spoke about the quality that Audi brings to a quality island such as St Read more

Dennis: Integrity Chamber law ‘strengthens’ country’s position

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament's adopting the draft law to establish an Integrity Chamber "strengthens" the country's position when ministers go before the Kingdom Council of State in a week's time to present St. Maarten's case against the Dutch Kingdom Government's use of Article 51 of the Kingdom Charter to impose a measure on the country. This is the belief Justice Minister Dennis Richardson shared with Members of Parliament on Friday.

"It [the law – Ed.] strengthen our position on the legality" of St Read more

> Cole Bay:--- St. Maarten along with its visitors have lost a familiar face who has served the community in many ways. Harold Jack (75) passed away peacefully at the St. Maarten Medical Center early Friday morning after being ill for about a month. Jack as he is familiarly known as was a casino controller who retired about 16 years ago, he also served drinks and snacks at the Lookout Point for over 40 years said his son Alex Jack.
Alex said his father became ill about a month ago but died peacefully without suffering from any pain Read more

Obama, Castro shake hands as US, Cuba seek better ties

PANAMA CITY--U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro shook hands on Friday at a summit in Panama, a symbolically charged gesture as the pair seek to restore ties between the Cold War foes.
  A photograph showed Obama and Castro, both wearing dark suits, chatting in a small group of leaders at the summit's opening ceremony. A White House official confirmed the two men shook hands and spoke briefly.
  "This was an informal interaction and there was not a substantive conversation between the two leaders," the official said.
  Obama and Castro are expected to meet again on Saturday and talk about their efforts to restore full diplomatic relations and boost trade and travel between the two countries Read more

Nigerians vote for powerful governors in state elections

LAGOS--The final stage of Nigeria's election will begin on Saturday with state governorship polls, two weeks after a presidential vote saw an incumbent leader unseated at the ballot box for the first time.
  The 36 governors are among the most powerful politicians in Africa's biggest oil producer and top economy, controlling budgets larger than those of small African nations and wielding influence that can decide who goes on presidential tickets. Voting starts at 8 a.m.
  With so much at stake, candidates in past polls have often played dirty, snatching ballot boxes, manipulating voter turn-out and engaging in thuggery and intimidation.
  Muhammadu Buhari beat President Goodluck Jonathan last month with 15.4 million votes against 13.3 million, in a vote that was considered free and less violent than past polls Read more