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>PHILIPSBURG:--- United People's (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake, this past weekend commenced with his district observation visits in his capacity as MP to see where and how he can assist Sint Maarten communities.

MP Lake said he started his back to basics district visits 2015 with his home district of St Read more

Police Searches Secondary School.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday at approximately 8:30a.m. a special police team carried out a search the Sint Maarten Vocational School in Reward. The search was done on the request of the management of that school based on information that students of that school were either using drugs, dealing drugs or in the possession of weapons. The search was carried out on the school premises where all schoolbags were searched. At the same time the school premises was patroled by the Police K-9 team. During the search some firecrackers, a box cutter and a small amount of marijuana was found Read more

style="text-align: center;">Is Hebrew an official language on St. Maarten?

PHILIPSBURG:--- Based on advertisement publication that appeared in one of the local newspapers it is clear that certain businesses are exploiting the current labor requirements in order to get the working documents for foreign employees renewed. Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever has been pushing to have the Counterpart policy introduced which according to several businesses and politicians will slaughter the island's economy.
However, MP De Weever, the former Minister of Labor did not notice that companies are exploiting the rules set by the labor department to have the working documents of their foreign employees renewed and which of course limits the chance for any local to apply for the vacant positions.
In the advertisement placed on Tuesday January 26th 2015, the company Rolling Systems states that the applicant has to be fluent in Hebrew and English Read more

Draft Budget is a silent cry --- Questions posed were not clear or properly answered.

style="text-align: center;">Ministers and MPs salaries should be cut by 5% - MP Leona Marlin

PHILIPSBURG:--- The 2015 draft budget was heavily criticized during the budget debate that started on Tuesday. The first speaker MP Leona Marlin made it clear that government should live by example and one of the ways they can cut cost and save monies is to let Ministers and Members of Parliament travel business class rather than first class. MP Romeo Marlin said that government including Parliament could further cut the traveling expenses by not attending certain meetings but use technology instead Read more

Minister Plenipotentiary Fleming-Artsen Meets With Chairlady Of Dutch Second Chamber Of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Josianne Fleming-Artsen on Monday, January 26 met with the Chairlady of the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament Hon. Anouchka van Miltenburg regarding current affairs.

Minister Plenipotentiary Fleming-Artsen stated that the meeting was of an introductory nature and also part of her plan to rebuild relations between the two countries, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands.

"We had a very open discussion. Van Miltenburg visited Sint Maarten in 2014 and she now has a better understanding of the diversity of the various countries, and also the complexities of small scale societies.

"Van Miltenburg also known as the Speaker of the House of Representatives has a very open mind for Sint Maarten's viewpoint regarding the Integrity Chamber when we discuss integrity.

"The Dutch Speaker of the House would also like to meet with Sint Maarten ministers when they come to the Netherlands on a working visit Read more

Caribbean Energy Security Summit Joint Statement

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao - The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Colombia, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, together with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Caribbean Development Bank, European Union, Inter-American Development Bank Group, International Renewable Energy Agency, Organization of American States, and the World Bank Group:

1 Read more

More on the Counterpart Policy

Dear Editor,

According to information received, MP Cornelius de Weever and the acting Labour Minister seem to want to push the Counterpart Law to a ridiculous extreme in time for the policy introduction in the third quarter of this year, as announced in the media on Saturday, January 24.

As I understand it, effective October 1, the Counterpart Law may also be applied to requests for Employment Permits, as required by the numerous Houses of Pleasure on the island Read more

Corruption protest in Kenya's Maasai region turns deadly

NAROK, Kenya--One person was killed and several injured on Monday when Kenyan police clashed with Maasais protesting against a local governor they accuse of misappropriating tourism funds from the Maasai Mara game reserve, an official said.

Police fired shots and teargas as thousands of people from the Maasai ethnic group, clad in traditional red cloaks, marched to the governor's office in Narok town, the administrative centre of the sprawling Maasai Mara park, witnesses said.

Narok County Commissioner Kassim Farah, an official appointed by the president, said: "Only one protestor was killed by a bullet Read more

Northeast US braves crippling blizzard, transit systems shut

NEW YORK/MAPLEWOOD, New Jersey--A massive, wind-whipped blizzard slammed into the U.S. Northeast on Monday, creating havoc for more than 60 million people and forcing New York City to shut down on a scale not seen since Superstorm Sandy devastated the region in 2012.

The potentially historic storm which could affect 20 percent of the U.S. population, caused several states up and down the East Coast to declare emergencies, forced the cancellation of thousands of flights, closed major mass transit hubs and schools Read more

Sea rescue service to receive replacement lifeboat in July

MARIGOT--French-side sea rescue service SNSM will take possession of a lifeboat this coming July to replace the extensively damaged SNSM 129, it was disclosed at a press conference Saturday with Vice-Admiral Jacques de Solms, Inspector General for the national SNSM.

The Vice-Admiral was here in May 2014 and on this occasion made a special visit to announce the good news as well as have meetings with Préfet Philippe Chopin and President Aline Hanson to solicit financial support.

The replacement SNSM 121 "Patron JM Camenen" comes from Brittany and is a reconditioned vessel of 14 metres in length with similar characteristics to SNSM 129 which was driven onto the rocks attempting rescues during Hurricane Gonzalo.

At the same time SNSM 121 is delivered SNSM 129 will be shipped back to France for specialised repairs with a view to putting it back in service in France Read more

Advisory Council wants timeshare law in Dutch

PHILIPSBURG--The hold up in the processing of the draft initiative laws to regulate the timeshare sector has come down to a matter of language. The two draft laws are written in English, one of the official languages of the country, but the Advisory Council has requested the law to be re-submitted by the Democratic Party (DP), the initiator, in Dutch.

All of the country's laws are in Dutch and the judicial system, which executes the laws, is almost entirely in Dutch.

DP Leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said at a press conference held in Parliament House on Monday, she intends to take up the law with Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor, when they meet on February 5 Read more

RCI and Sapphire Beach relationship ‘suspended’

CUPECOY--Timeshare owners at Sapphire Beach Club and Resort have been informed unexpectedly by popular timeshare exchange network RCI that the property "has been placed on suspension status and we must suspend your privileges in both the RCI Weeks and RCI Points Programs" effective immediately.

The suspension apparently is tied to the property's multiple maintenance issues, although no reason was specified in the letter.

According to a confidential source, RCI suspended the working relationship with Sapphire as a result of numerous complaints concerning maintenance issues, allowing for three months to rectify the situation Read more

Govt submits integrity plan to Parliament

PHILIPSBURG--Government submitted a plan of approach to Parliament on Monday for the implementation of recommendations from the three integrity reports.

Parliament instructed government in a unanimously passed motion on October 22, 2014, to come up with a plan to address the General Audit Chamber Report, the Wit-Samson Report and the PricewaterhouseCoopers Report on integrity in government.

The Council of Ministers approved a draft ordinance to establish an Integrity Chamber for St Read more

Caribbean Energy Security Summit Joint Statement.

>WILLEMSTAD, Curacao:--- The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Colombia, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States, together with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Caribbean Development Bank, European Union, Inter-American Development Bank Group, International Renewable Energy Agency, Organization of American States, and the World Bank Group:

Recognizing that energy security, access to energy, economic development, environmental and climate goals benefit from and contribute to sustainable, modern, clean and diversified energy sectors;Reaffirming our commitment to support access to sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy services, with a particular focus on cleaner alternative energy resources , for all citizens in the region;Recognizing that increased energy efficiency and more diversified, and clean energy sources can lead to improved energy security, increasing self-sufficiency, economic growth, and climate resilience as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions;Recognizing that cost-effective, alternative, and renewable energy sources, can reduce energy costs, while at the same time providing increased options for countries to diversify their energy matrices;Recalling the commitment at the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009 to expand cooperation on energy and climate change, including through the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA); and at the Sixth Summit of the Americas in 2012 to accelerate energy integration to provide every person access to the electricity they need through the Connecting the Americas 2022 (Connect 2022) initiative;Recalling the outcome of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS Conference), September 2014, and the commitments taken under the SIDS Accelerated Modalities Of Action Pathway;Recognizing that, although legal and regulatory reforms have been implemented in some countries to introduce renewable energy technologies and sustainable energy management approaches to attract the required investment in the Caribbean energy sector, in principle, more work on policy and regulatory issues is required to fully embrace the opportunities derived from sustainable energy;Recalling national and regional energy plans, including the CARICOM Energy Policy and Caribbean Sustainable Energy Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS), adopted by CARICOM in March of 2013, and the commenced negotiations in the Dominican Republic for a National Pact on Energy;Recognizing that lowering energy costs can increase competitiveness in tourism, manufacturing and various other sectors of the Regional economies;Recognizing that the private sector has an important role to play in developing the energy sector in the region, and that there is potential for greater public-private partnerships;Recognizing the synergies and benefits of regional cooperation for the strengthening of the energy sector;Noting that this strategy is in line with the objectives of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative;Recognizing the advances already made by several countries in diversifying their energy mix;Recognizing our actions should support reaching a new international climate change agreement at the December 2015 UNFCCC negotiations in Paris;Recalling the invitation at the UNFCCC Twentieth Conference of Parties to communicate intended nationally determined contributions well in advance of Paris in a manner that facilitates clarity, transparency and understanding; andRecognizing the Caribbean is a particularly vulnerable region to climate change and has been an advocate in the fight against climate change.

We state our commitment to support the Caribbean's transformation of the energy systems of Caribbean states, to share lessons learned through new and expanded regional information networks, to report progress in relevant fora, and to pursue the following in accordance with national laws:

Comprehensive, planning-based and research-driven approaches to energy transition, including implementation of pilot and demonstration projects, based on successful models so that individual clean energy projects are part of a fully integrated, climate-resilient energy transition plan toward clean sustainable energy for all.For Caribbean countries, necessary and specific reforms , including recommendations from the 2013 CARICOM Energy Policy and the outcome of the 2015 Dominican Energy Pact, to support policy and regulatory environments that facilitate the introduction of new technologies favoring sustainable and clean energy that provide legal certainty for investors and improved predictability in price and supply for users.Where viable, alignment of national legal and regulatory approaches to facilitate greater clean energy investment throughout the region, provided that countries can access finance and other resources on affordable terms, to set the stage for future electrical interconnection in keeping with the goals of Connect 2022.Where technically and commercially feasible, promote and develop affordable: (i) no- or lower carbon electricity generation through wind, solar, geothermal power, hydropower, bioenergy, ocean energy, energy recovery from waste, and other clean energies; and (ii) energy efficiency measures Read more

style="text-align: center;">Plans of Approach for Integrity reports, Approval of Integrity Chamber Ordinance, nomination of "Kwartiermaker"

PHILIPSBURG:--- Government on Monday, January 26th submitted to Parliament the plan of approach to implement the recommendations of the three integrity reports as instructed by Parliament in a motion that was unanimously passed by Parliament on October 22, 2014. The plan addresses the General Audit Chamber Report, the Wit-Samson "Doing Things Right" and the PwC report on Integrity.

The Council of Ministers also informed Parliament on Monday that it has approved a draft ordinance to establish an Integrity Chamber for Sint Maarten as well as nominated a so called "Kwartiermaker" by resolution (landsbesluit) who will be charged with preparing the implementation of the aforementioned ordinance Read more

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) namely, Louis Halley, Head of Civil Aviation, Claudius Carty, Acting Section Head of Shipping and Inspection, and Secretary General Miguel De Weever, met with the Council of Ministers (COM) recently to brief the council with respect to the current state of affairs of both departments.

The presentation provided an update on the Category 1 and 2 statuses related to the country's aviation sector Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams told reporters on Monday afternoon at a press conference that she is of the opinion that the deal with Rainforest Adventure to develop the Emilio Wilson Park is a done deal. "I believe this government has placed their stamp of approval on the project. This is my opinion because there is a lot not said when questions are being posed to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs regarding this project, however, the people of St Read more

Suspect Arrested For Breaking And Entry Into Grand Case Kindergarten School Back In 2013

MARIGOT, St. Martin - On the night of 4th to 5th of September 2013, a burglary with extreme damage to the public kindergarten School in Grand Case was committed.

The person responsible for the crime, after climbing the gate of the school, had broken all the doors of the class rooms as well as the director's office.

Numerous items were stolen including the schools computer equipment.

Technicians of the Criminal Identification of Proximity (TICP) of the Community of St. Martin gendarmerie managed, after careful observations, obtained a biological sample and two footprints, palms and forehead traces which were discovered on a windows of one of the classrooms which was visited by the criminal.

These traces allowed the investigators to identify the alleged perpetrator who is known in the national database of DNA (FNAEG).

The suspect is also known as an individual who has committed multiple aggravated theft.

The suspect has been placed in custody on January 22, 2015 by the investigators from the gendarmerie of French Quarter.

The suspect was a minor (16) at the time of the crime and as a result, he has been notified of his summons before the juvenile court in St Read more

Integrity Remains Priority For Gumbs Cabinet: Plans Of Approach For Integrity Reports, Approval Of Integrity Chamber Ordinance, Nomination Of "Kwartiermaker"

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Government on Monday, January 26th submitted to Parliament the plan of approach to implement the recommendations of the three integrity reports as instructed by Parliament in a motion that was unanimously passed by Parliament on October 22, 2014.

The plan addresses the General Audit Chamber Report, the Wit-Samson "Doing Things Right" and the PwC report on Integrity

The Council of Ministers also informed Parliament on Monday that it has approved a draft ordinance to establish an Integrity Chamber for Sint Maarten as well as nominated a so called "Kwartiermaker" by resolution (landsbesluit) who will be charged with preparing the implementation of the aforementioned ordinance.

The ordinance has been forwarded to the Council of Advice in the regular trajectory to request advice.

The draft ordinance is of the utmost importance as it will establish an institution based on article 98 of our constitution to investigate breaches of integrity and will function as an advisory body for the Government in matters related to Integrity.

"This ordinance has been submitted today to the Advisory Council and we hope that within short the draft will reach Parliament for debate in order to be decided upon," Prime Minister the Hon Read more

Mp Lake Commences With District Visits As Part Of Back To Basics In 2015

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake, this past weekend commenced with his district observation visits in his capacity as MP to see where and how he can assist Sint Maarten communities.

MP Lake said he started his back to basics district visits 2015 with his home district of St Read more

Editorial - Not the answer

Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake's suggestion to increase the one-per-cent foreign exchange levy to five per cent for remittances (see Friday paper) may seem at first glance like a good idea. After all, the lines of people at money transfer offices especially after payday have been cited for years as an example of how cash generated on the island is sent abroad instead of spent locally.

However, the licence fee charged by the Central Bank might not be the most suitable instrument to address this issue Read more

USA’s Arconada wins Women’s International Tennis Tournament

MARIGOT—Tournament top seed Victoria Bosio from Argentina fell to the unseeded American Usue Maitane Arconada in a riveting Women's Singles Final played at the Alberic Richards Stadium courts on Sunday where the Argentinian struggled with three medical time-outs.

Arconada (16), ranked 22 in the Junior World Rankings, won 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 on the shady No.3 court chosen over the usual No. 1 court. The match was marked by long, powerful baseline rallies. The first set was closely fought but in the second set Bosio found her rhythm again to win it comfortably before having to call the physiotherapist at 3-0 down in the final set for massages and later a twisted ankle Read more

Biodiversity Institute planned for Réserve Naturelle in 2017

MARIGOT--A 1.5 million-euro Institute of Biodiversity is one of the exciting future projects Réserve Naturelle is engaged in as part of the development contract between Collectivité and State, it was disclosed at a press conference hosted by Réserve Naturelle on Thursday in Anse Marcel.

Feasibility studies are close to completion for the project and State representative Romain Perreau confirmed that 1.5 million euros has been set aside for its creation. The Institute, however, is not expected to be inaugurated before 2017.

Réserve Naturelle Director Nicolas Maslach said the institute will combine elements of research institute, environmental awareness and eco-tourism while its objective will be to improve the knowledge of ecosystems in St Read more

SHTA: Having counterpart in PM’s cabinet ‘completely misses the point’

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has lashed back at statements made by Member of Parliament (MP) Cornelius de Weever on the counterpart programme saying that having a counterpart in a Prime Minister's cabinet "completely misses the point."

De Weever said last week that the counterpart law had been applied in one case and had been used in the staff bureaus of the former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

However, SHTA says this misses the point Read more