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Murder suspect acquitted, still on trial for robberies

PHILIPSBURG--The Joint Court of Justice acquitted a 32-year-old man Wednesday of involvement in the killing of well-known Indian businessman Haresh "Danny" Dayalani on May 26, 2009, at his Cole Bay home. However, Robertson Peter of Dominica remains a suspect of involvement in two armed robberies at Pelican Marina's administrative offices May 13-14, 2009, the Court added.

In acquitting the defendant, the Joint Court followed the Court of First Instance, which had also acquitted him of murder and manslaughter in its decision of April 15.

The defendant and the Prosecutor's Office had both appealed the original sentence Read more

Plasterk wants ‘sit down’ on integrity recommendations

PHILIPSBURG--Dutch Minister of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk wants a "sit down" with the St. Maarten Government to talk about the execution of recommendations from the Integrity Reports, particularly the one compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said Plasterk's letter stated that he would make "no decision" on government's approach to the recommendations until such a meeting takes place Read more

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Vorst heirs offer a reduced land price

PHILIPSBURG--Government has been offered the Vorst land in Cay Hill for US $1 million less by the heirs to the property. This now puts the purchase price at US $4.5 million.

Caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said the Council of Ministers has not taken a decision on whether to accept the offer. Her preference is to leave the offer for the incoming cabinet to make a decision.

Outgoing Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure VROMI Minister Maurice Lake had come under much fire for opting to purchase the land, instead of following an earlier proposal with the heirs for government to lease land.

The purchase price was higher than the lease price Read more

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Editorial - Immediate and direct

For the second time in three months a worker fell from a height while doing his job in St. Maarten (see related article). This time there was no serious injury, so the victim could be treated on the spot by ambulance personnel and didn't require hospitalisation.

It was different story on August 27, however, when Haitian mason Diuecel Bosse (54) of S&R Construction toppled into an empty elevator shaft at the former Ocean Terrace building in Maho then under renovation and died. There were rumours that he had been fleeing from an immigration raid held there that day, but this never was confirmed.

In general, one regularly can see people working at heights on the island without any safety line or even a helmet Read more

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Nearly-expelled pupil now at sister Hillside campus

ST. PETERS--A nine-year-old child has returned to school after an attempt to expel him from Hillside Christian Schools Asha Stevens Campus.

After a line-up of warnings by the school on the child and his brother, and a meeting with Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs (ECSY) Inspection Division Truancy Officers, a Court of Guardianship (CoG) representative and the child’s parents, the Hillside Christian Schools board arranged for the child to be enrolled in its Helmich Snijders Campus.

Switching the child to a school with Dutch as the language of instruction was not a preferred solution, but the school board made the decision after the meeting on the urgent case and a subsequent notification that the board would be solely responsible for enrolling him in another school Read more

Teens unite to end violence to women

PHILIPSBURG--November 25th was International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. In observance of the day, Women's Desk with the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, together with Community Development, Family and Humanitarian Affairs, organised an awareness event for teenagers in the Philipsburg Cultural Centre.

Some 60 youths, both male and female, attended the event, which was part of a month of awareness activities in five high schools on both sides of the island Read more

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India central bank under pressure to cut interest rates as growth slips

NEW DELHI--India's economic growth probably slowed to around 5 percent in the three months to September, slipping from 5.7 percent in the previous quarter, two senior finance ministry sources said, putting pressure on the central bank to cut interest rates.

The sources said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would press Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Raghuram Rajan to lower borrowing costs when the two meet ahead of a decision on interest rates next Tuesday.

Six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi swept to power with a promise that "better days are coming", growth of 5 percent would mark a serious setback from the previous quarter and fall far short of the 8 percent that Asia's third-largest economy needs to create enough jobs for its growing workforce Read more

Delta's breakaway union struggles to win support

NEW YORK--A group of Delta Air Lines pilots seeking to replace the current pilots' union at the U.S. carrier are struggling to win enough support.

The Delta Pilots Association (DPA) claims that nearly half of the airline's 12,000 pilots have at some time in the past four years signed cards backing it to be their union for collective bargaining with management. But under U.S. labour law, many of the cards - a third or more - are invalid because they weren't signed in the past 12 months, DPA said.

The group is trying to oust the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which has represented pilots at the carrier since 1940 Read more

St. Maarten shows support for Key to Freedom rehab

ST. PETERS--Recovering addict Jacob Alexander and his family joined friends, supporters, staff and clients of the Key to Freedom Christian Rehabilitation Centre at a fundraising event held at Benny’s in St. Peters recently.

The event was held to raise funds for the rehabilitation centre. Claudette Alexander, Jacob’s sister, was one of the organisers of the fun day, which provided fun for the whole family.

Fundraising Event

The event, which received a donation of drinks from Antillean Liquors and Caribbean Liquors, a bouncy castle from Kidsworld, and flyers and posters from Print Services, also saw many other sponsors contributing to help out the rehabilitation centre.

In the afternoon of November 11, more than 200 people attended to join in the fun, which included a barbecue, a children’s fun area, flea market, tombola, dominoes tournament and an open jam session Read more

Airco worker falls through roof into minister’s office

PHILIPSBURG--An air-conditioning technician working on an air-conditioning unit at the Government Administration Building took a wrong step and fell through the roof into Minister of Health, Labour and Social Affairs Cornelius de Weever's office early Tuesday afternoon.

The man did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of the fall Read more

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Pantophlet wants updates on short-term contract changes

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet is calling on Ministers to give a long-overdue update on the amendment to the Civil Code to end the abuse of short-term labour contracts, the establishment of the Casino Gaming Board, the Dividend Policy and the Consumer Protection Agency.

Pantophlet said in a press statement Monday that they had had enough time to present to Parliament the changes or legislation for establishment of the various entities.

NA submitted draft amendments to Book VII of the Civil Code to correct the abuse of short-term labour contracts some 42 months ago.

Caretaker Labour Minister Cornelius de Weever has made "several changes" still in draft form to the relevant parts of the Civil Code and presented them to the Council of Ministers Read more

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Delegation satisfied with outcome of youth meeting

MARIGOT--A delegation led by union representative Cédric André from Union Général des Travailleurs de Guadeloupe (UGTG) said it was “very satisfied” with the outcome of a meeting held Monday with President Aline Hanson and other officials and technicians to resolve issues that sparked a demonstration by some 50 youths in Sandy Ground last week Thursday.

The youths blocked the main road in protest at the lack of sports facilities and activities in Sandy Ground, as well as other issues.

Complaints centred on infrastructure for basketball, volleyball and football, the problem of abandoned cars, garbage situation, inadequate street lighting in the district, sewage and drainage issues, rain water evacuation and stagnant pools of water that encourage mosquito breeding Read more

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Bill Cosby performs in Bahamas amid sexual assault allegations

NASSAU, Bahamas--As the sexual assault allegations continued to pile up back home in the United States on Thursday and Friday, it was "better in The Bahamas" for veteran comedian Bill Cosby when he performed at a small theatre in the world-famous Atlantis resort.

Cosby reportedly received a standing ovation at the close of his 90-minute set at a fundraiser to support the Nassau chapter of The Links.

The audience, which included some prominent Bahamians, apparently had no problem ignoring allegations that have made headlines worldwide claiming that Cosby had drugged and sexually abused women at intervals spanning more than two decades.

"I think everybody is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty," Alfred Sears, an official with the College of The Bahamas and a former attorney general, told the Associated Press.

"Tonight is for a cause, and I think that he has contributed to the cause Read more

Nuclear talks extended 7 months after failing to meet the deadline

VIENNA--Iran and six powers failed on Monday for a second time this year to resolve their 12-year stand-off over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, and gave themselves seven more months to clinch an historic deal.

Western officials said they were aiming to secure an agreement on the substance of a final accord by March but that more time would be needed to reach a consensus on the all-important technical details.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, trying to win relief from crippling international economic sanctions by patching up relations with the West, said the gap between the sides had narrowed at the latest round of talks in Vienna 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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

Colombia rebels to release general, opening door to resume peace talks

HAVANA/BOGOTA--Colombian Marxist rebels agreed to release an army general captured by their comrades over the weekend, a move that may lead to a resumption of peace talks and defuse a crisis that threatened to extend five decades of war.
  The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) promised to free General Ruben Dario Alzate and four others captured in the past two weeks "as soon as possible" after reaching agreement on liberation terms with the government and guarantor nations Cuba and Norway Read more