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Vromi Prepared For Flooding

St. Maarten – In response to the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten’s (MDS) weather forecast, in which it was predicted that St. Maarten could expect cloudy skies with periods of showers and a risk of thunder over the weekend, Ministry Vromi made the necessary preparations on Friday to mitigate the effects of potential floods.

This quick response was an effort to avoid the deluge of a few weeks ago after torrential rains flooded low-lying areas around the Great Salt Pond and Fresh Pond Read more

Police Sub-Station Opens In Maho

MAHO—The Maho area is one of the hottest spots on the island with a number of tourist who frequent the area along with local residents. This is what makes it appropriate to open the fourth police sub-station– in the four years of St. Maarten obtaining the status of country– in that area, said Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson.

He expressed his gratitude to the CEO of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort Saro Spadaro for accommodating the police to have their substation at the La Terrasse Read more

Editorial - Enough is enough

Little more has been heard about the installation of a new government since “formateur” Theodore Heyliger presented a list of proposed ministers to Governor Eugene Holiday on Wednesday, November 12. Twelve days have passed since, during which the “vetting” of candidates began, and some are starting to wonder whether something might be wrong.

Officially the process is being conducted based on the country’s existing judicial and security screening regulations instead of the far-reaching approach with input from the Netherlands instructed by the Kingdom Council of Ministers Read more

Airport develops infectious disease manual, taskforce

AIRPORT--SXM Princess Juliana International Airport has developed an infectious disease manual and established an infectious disease taskforce as part of its efforts to deal with potential Ebola cases.

The airport outlined its plans to handle potential Ebola cases during a meeting with stakeholders last Tuesday. The airport gave an extensive overview of its plan.

The airport has purchased two isolation units and has established the necessary protocols in case of a potential Ebola case Read more

Fiscal non-residents to be taxed at rate of residents

MARIGOT--The Territorial Council at a plenary session on Thursday, November 20, re-voted and adopted the deliberation already decided at the last session on October 30, whereby fiscal non-residents living in St. Martin less than five years will be taxed at the same rate as residents if receiving at least 75 per cent of their income derived from St. Martin. This income tax will be paid in 2016 based on declaration of 2015 revenue.

The re-vote was necessary due to the omission of when the new law would go into effect.

Although the motion was passed by the majority Opposition Leader Daniel Gibbs argued the decision circumvents the five-year residency rule stated in the Organic Law and is therefore illegal.

"The condition of the five-year rule is obligatory in the organic law," he insisted Read more

Tourism industry stars honoured at 9th Crystal Pineapple Awards

MAHO--Top performers across the different sectors of the tourism industry were honoured once again at the ninth annual Crystal Pineapple Awards organised by the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) at repeat gala host Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino on Friday night, November 21.

Sonesta's conference room formed a mecca for the who's who of the tourism industry, as a jam-packed room of professionals enjoyed a five-star buffet dinner, silent auction, song and dance performances by ARIAS and Dance Theatre of St Read more

China ready to cut rates again on fears of deflation

BEIJING--China's leadership and central bank are ready to cut interest rates again and also loosen lending restrictions, concerned that falling prices could trigger a surge in debt defaults, business failures and job losses, said sources involved in policy-making.

Friday's surprise cut in rates, the first in more than two years, reflects a change of course by Beijing and the central bank, which had persisted with modest stimulus measures before finally deciding last week that a bold monetary policy step was required to stabilise the world's second-largest economy.

Economic growth has slowed to 7.3 percent in the third quarter and policymakers feared it was on the verge of dipping below 7 percent - a rate not seen since the global financial crisis Read more

Minister of Culture Lourens-Philip congratulates television broadcasters on contribution to informing and educating society about the issues.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip congratulates local broadcasters and program producers/hosts on their contribution to society in connection with World Television Day that was observed globally on November 21.

"World Television Day is not so much a celebration of the tool of broadcasting, but rather the philosophy which it represents and being a symbol of communication.

"Broadcast media plays a very important role in the socio-economic development of a country Read more

>MAHO:--- On Friday November 21st, 2014 the long awaited police-sub station for the Maho and Low Lands was officially opened. The Minister of Justice Dennis in his opening speech, to those present, explained that he was very proud of the progress of the police force as this event was a very important and historical one for the police force and for the country Sint Maarten. He continued to state that it is very necessary that the area and community of Maho and Lowlands get the same service as the other areas on the island where police sub-stations are located Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- "The Ebola situation is one that we are all taking very seriously. Although the possibility of the Ebola Virus Disease reaching St. Maarten is very low, given the recent and past global health emergencies such as HINI, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, etc, the Ministry of Public Health along with key stakeholders are taking the opportunity to review the preparedness plans which are already in place and revitalize the system", said Minister of Public Health Cornelius de Weever Read more

Sint Maarten Hosts 30Th Caribbean Epi Managers Meeting 2014

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS) Dr. Virginia Asin said on Sunday that the 30th meeting of the Caribbean Immunization Managers hosted by Sint Maarten was a success, and resulted in the review and finalization of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) plan of action for 2015.

"I think it is very important as a region that we continue in our efforts to learn best practices from each other, and this setting was a great way to do that," Minister of Public Health Hon Read more

Minister Of Culture Lourens-Philip Congratulates Television Broadcasters On Contribution To Informing And Educating Society About The Issues

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip congratulates local broadcasters and program producers/hosts on their contribution to society in connection with World Television Day that was observed globally on November 21.

"World Television Day is not so much a celebration of the tool of broadcasting, but rather the philosophy which it represents and being a symbol of communication.

"Broadcast media plays a very important role in the socio-economic development of a country Read more

Police Sub-Station For Maho And Low Lands

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Friday November 21st the long awaited police-sub station for the Maho and Low Lands was officially opened.

The Minister of Justice Dennis in his opening speech, to those present, explained that he was very proud of the progress of the police force as this event was a very important and historical one for the police force and for the country Sint Maarten.

He continued to state that it is very necessary that the area and community of Maho and Lowlands get the same service as the other areas on the island where police sub-stations are located.

Opening this sub station brings the police closer to that community and creates a greater sense of safety and security Read more

Collectivité notes 198 cases of violence against children

MARIGOT--The Collectivité recorded 198 cases of violence or abuse against children in 2013, an increase of 141 cases compared to 2012, Second Vice-President Ramona Connor responsible for the Department of Solidarity and Families disclosed Thursday.

Connor disclosed the figures during the official opening ceremony to commemorate International Rights of the Child Day in the new public library in Concordia, adding the figures for 2014 will most likely be higher.

She was joined at the opening by President Aline Hanson, Préfet Philippe Chopin, Senator Guillaume Arnell, St Read more

Immigrants to lose medical aid under pending law amendment

PHILIPSBURG--Immigrants, whether they hold permanent residence or temporary residence, will see their possibility of accessing medical and financial aid disappear if Parliament passes the draft National Ordinance on improving financial management of social security and care. The ordinance's general goal is cost savings for government.

The draft law is not yet in Parliament's hands, but an overview of it was given to Members of Parliament (MPs) by representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA in a public Central Committee meeting on Friday.

The draft ordinance has as its motives introduction of measures to generate income for the Sickness Fund, protecting the country's budget, measures for improved management of health care-spending, improving the quality of care and a stepwise approach to National Health Reform.

To achieve those motives, changes are required to multiple existing legislations – Financial Assistance Ordinance, Medical Aid Ordinance, Social Health and Insurance SZV Ordinance and Sickness Insurance Ordinance.

Proposed change to the Financial Assistance Ordinance seeks to adjust the regulation to coincide with the ordinance regulating admittance and expulsion of immigrants LTU Read more

Japan PM seeks verdict on "Abenomics" in snap election

TOKYO--Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved parliament's lower house on Friday for a snap election on Dec. 14, seeking a fresh mandate for his struggling "Abenomics" revival strategy just two years after he returned to power promising that "Japan is Back".

Abe had vowed to revive the economy with a mix of hyper-easy monetary policy, government spending and reforms, while moving ahead with plans to rein in Japan's massive public debt. But doubts have grown about his strategy, especially after data showed this week that the economy had surprisingly slipped into recession in the third quarter after an initial rise in the sales tax to 8 percent from April.

"This is an 'Abenomics' snap election Read more

Police substation opens in Maho

MAHO--Police officers joined Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson and invited guests at the opening of the new Police Substation in Maho Village. The substation will serve Maho and the Lowlands.

The new station, which was co-funded by Dutch Funding Agency USONA, will be the hub of Community Police Officer (CPO) Josepha, affectionately known in the community as Officer Jo, four officers with mountain bikes and Segways, and two dog handlers with their four-legged companions.

The exact opening times of the new substation have not yet been determined, but the aim is to keep the station open for as many hours as possible, and to be open at key times for the area.

An official ceremony marked the opening of the substation, with Inspector Ricardo Henson as Master of Ceremonies Read more

Minister Lake pleased with Ministry VROMI proactive preparations for possible rain event.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is very pleased with his ministries pro-active preparations taken on Friday afternoon due to inclement weather that is east of the Caribbean island chain.

According to the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS), an upper level feature weather system combined with available moisture at the lower levels of the atmosphere is increasing instability across the Caribbean region.

In MDS 6:00pm Friday, November 21 forecast up until Saturday 6.00pm, November 22, cloudy skies with periods of showers and a risk of thunder can be expected during this forecast period.

Residents and motorists are advised to exercise caution as flooding is likely with additional showers.

On Monday at 2:00pm a meeting was held with contractor Windward Roads regarding the floodgate works at the A.Th Read more

Minister Lake Pleased With Ministry Vromi Proactive Preparations For Possible Rain Event

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is very pleased with his ministries pro-active preparations taken on Friday afternoon due to inclement weather that is east of the Caribbean island chain.

According to the Meteorological Department of St Read more

The St. Maarten Parliamentary Election Of August 29, 2014 Julio R. Romney

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The parliamentary election in St. Maarten on 29th of August marked a turbulent beginning to the new constituent state's political history.

The substantial loss of electorate support for the more seasoned (political) party leaders to second tier/ number two party members, the failure of only but two contesting candidates to receive the necessary electoral quota to secure a seat in parliament outright.

The eleventh hour of the appointed formateur to realize the formation of a prospective coalition government, with the subsequent appointment of two informateurs to facilitate a renewed attempt to garner political parties that are willing to come together and form a new prospective coalition government are but a few of the unanticipated consequences of the election.

Added to these and more startling was the Royal Decree issued (October 21, 2014) by the de facto Head of State i.e., the Kingdom Government/ the Kingdom Council of Ministers instructing the Governor of St Read more

Young Dazzling Gems Jewelry Store Robbers Jailed For Quite Some Time

St. Maarten – The Court in First Instance sentenced two men who robbed the Dazzling Gems jewelry store on Front Street on July 11 to prison sentences of 54 and 42 months. The prosecution demanded slightly higher punishments of 5 and 4 years respectively.

Shaquille Akeem Every entered the jewelry store on the day of the robbery with a small sledgehammer while another, yet unidentified robber, controlled the storeowner and his staff with a gun. Every smashed showcases and grabbed all the jewelry he could get his hands on.

In the meantime, co-defendant Raymison Railey Prescott blocked the traffic on Front Street with his motor bike, in front of the getaway car Read more

Former Police Officer Gregory Koeiman’S Extradition To The Usa On Hold

St. Maarten – The Common Court of Justice has retained a decision about the extradition of Gregory Koeiman to the United States. In a ‘decision preceding an advice to the governor of St. Maarten’ the court ruled yesterday that it reopens the investigation, awaiting a ruling by the Supreme Court on a similar extradition request in Curacao.

Koeiman, a former police officer and once upon a time the so-called body guard of former Member of Parliament Romain Laville, is wanted in the United states for several drugs transports.

The attorney-general filed the extradition request with the Common Court of Justice on July 22 against the 46-year-old Koeiman Read more

Ministry Vromi Set To Begin Expansion Of Floodgates

St. Maarten – “It’ll be an impressive site when it’s finished and it should serve us justice in the event of a hurricane or flood,” said Claudius Buncamper, Department Head of Infrastructure Management, during a presentation about the expansion of the A.T. Illidge Road floodgate, which is set to begin Friday, November 20, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. The project, which will be carried out by Windward Roads B.V. under the supervision of the Department of Infrastructure Management, costs approximately NAF 1.98 million Read more

Jamaica first to become member of US dental examination group

KINGSTON, Jamaica--Jamaica has become the first country outside of the US mainland to be a member of the American Board of Dental Examiners ADEX organisation.

Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson witnessed the first trial run of dental examinations Thursday, for the qualification of local dentists held at the College of Oral Health Science in Kingston.

The process meets the highest international best practice in terms of standards and will ensure that locally trained dentists will be on par with their North American counterparts, the Health Minister said.

Members of the ADEX visited the College of Oral Health Science Thursday, where 11 of 24 students sat the "double-blind" exam Read more