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PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, said on Thursday: In light of the concerns raised by school boards and in the public domain related to the change in the date of the FBE Exit Examination from May to April 2024, I am consulting with Ministry stakeholders including the Secretary General (SG) MECYS, the Division of Examinations, Division of Inspection MECYS, the Department of Education, school boards and the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU).

Taking into account concerns expressed related to the reduction in the number of available days students have for preparation for the FBE Exit Examination and indications that the summer vacation should be longer, the proposal was drafted and has been shared Read more

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Allegations Of Mismanagement At Nipa, Students Are Forced To Leave Due To The Lack Of Teaching Staff, 2023 Graduates Still To Receive Their Diplomas.

~ WITU refused to represent its teachers at NIPA. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Several students at the National Institute of Professional Advancement (NIPA) have been left in limbo since the management of NIPA has refused to hire core teachers who would teach them level 3 in their career path. Many of the students found out this school year that they do not have the teachers to teach night classes or even some day classes.
The students who contacted SMN News said that while they were taught general subjects such as mathematics and English during the day classes, they do not have teachers to teach level 3 in the evenings Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Thursday, September 14, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) September 15, 2023

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Friday midday: Fair to Partly cloudy.

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 29C / 84F

Sunset Today: 6:16 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M. 

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Friday midday: South to southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 4 to 12 mph.

SYNOPSIS:

The Atlantic high-pressure system continues to dominate conditions across the region Read more

Around Us $50,000 In Expenses For Every Ennia Holding Supervisory Board Meeting

Ennia claims a total of NAf. 18,624,924 has been awarded to supervisory directors in compensation and bonuses, as shown in this table from the judgment of September 12, 2023.

PHILIPSBURG--The Supervisory Board of Ennia Holding, which met three to four times a year, declared NAf Read more

2 Advices, 8 Inquiries, 3 Suspected Misconduct Notifications From Integrity Chamber In 2022

Integrity Chamber President Rian Vogels (left) presenting the report to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.

PHILIPSBURG--The Integrity Chamber had a busy year in 2022, issuing two advices and proposals to government and its entities; registering eight inquiries, three notifications of suspected misconduct, completing one preliminary in Read more

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Allegations Of Deregistering Citizens To Influence Elections Inaccurate, Says Pm

PHILIPSBURG--Statements made in Parliament alleging that government is purposefully deregistering persons in order to influence the elections are libellous and dismaying, Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- During the reception on the occasion of the new Parliamentary Year, a youth is awarded the President of Parliament Award for exemplary behavior, leadership skills as well and contribution to the community.
This year, the Hon. President of Parliament, Mr. Sidharth Bijlani, presented Ms. Nysette Gomes with the President of Parliament Award 2023.

Ms Read more

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CAY HILL:---  For the second consecutive year, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), The Positive and Elektralytes Foundations, and St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS) have partnered to offer free prostate screenings during SMMCs Mens Health Awareness event taking place on Saturday, September 23rd, 2023. The event, geared towards raising awareness and the early detection of prostate cancer, offers insured and uninsured men above the age of forty (40) the opportunity to receive free prostate cancer screening as well as other health information and exams Read more

Reunification Of Citizens With Lost And Recovered Documents

The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is starting with a new initiative aimed at facilitating the return of lost personal effects and official documentation to their rightful owners. These items encompass essential documents such as identification cards, bank cards, travel documents, number plates, and other personal records.

In recent weeks, the KPSM made a list of all these lost items, ranging from identification cards to indispensable travel documents. These items have been voluntarily brought to the police station by concerned individuals and conscientious residents Read more

Four Year Sentence Handed Down For Cooler Fete Shooting

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Court of First Instance in Sint Maarten has handed down an unconditional sentence of four year in youth detention in a case of attempted manslaughter and illegal firearms possession. The verdict delivered on Wednesday, pertains to a shooting that transpired near the Festival Village after the 2022 Cooler Fete event.

That incident left one person severely injured and the presence of a second person at the time in the shooting led to the two counts of attempted manslaughter and two counts of illegal firearm possession.

Convicted is JJR, who owing to his age at the time of the shooting, received a sentence in accordance with juvenile criminal law.

The court also sentenced JJR to pay NAf Read more

Integrity Chamber Releases 2022 Annual Report

The Integrity Chamber presented its 2022 Annual Report to the Honourable Prime Minister, Ms. Silveria Jacobs, on August 25, 2023. The report provides a summary of the activities of the Integrity Chamber and information on the history, structure, and statistics of the organization.

The Integrity Chamber spent its third operational year laying the groundwork for a government and society built on integrity Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is starting a new initiative aimed at facilitating the return of lost personal effects and official documentation to their rightful owners. These items encompass essential documents such as identification cards, bank cards, travel documents, number plates, and other personal records.

In recent weeks, the KPSM made a list of all these lost items, ranging from identification cards to indispensable travel documents. These items have been voluntarily brought to the police station by concerned individuals and conscientious residents Read more

Corporate Governance Trainee Program Applications Open.

~15 young professionals will be chosen from the applications~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance, Mr. Ardwell Irion, the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and the Themis Institute for Governance and Leadership have collaborated once again for the second iteration of the Corporate Governance Trainee Program. The application process is now open for young professionals to join this years class Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Integrity Chamber presented its 2022 Annual Report to the Honourable Prime Minister, Ms. Silveria Jacobs, on August 25, 2023. The report provides a summary of the activities of the Integrity Chamber and information on the history, structure, and statistics of the organization.
The Integrity Chamber spent its third operational year laying the groundwork for a government and society built on integrity Read more

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Court Issues Interlocutory JudgmentAnsaryS Liability Upheld

Willemstad/Philipsburg – The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has taken note of the Common Court of Justices decision today on the appeal in the case of Ennia v. Ansary et al.

In todays interlocutory judgment, the Court upheld the liability of Ansary and others. The Court found Ennia’s claims to be admissible, entitling Ennia to damages amounting to at least NAf 250 million (USD 117 million, USD 11 million and NAf 25.8 million).

In order to address the remaining claims, the Court has determined that an investigation by an independent expert is necessary, while both parties will be required to provide additional information.

In particular, the investigation will focus on determining Mullet Bays fair value during the relevant years Read more

~ St. Maarten still looking towards debt cancellation for COVID loans. ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said in response to questions regarding the proposal of the Dutch government to grant St. Maarten, Curacao, and Aruba loans with conditions to bail out Ennia that the government of St. Maarten will still continue to fight for the interest of its people.
Asked if the government believes that the people of St Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, September 13, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) September 14, 2023

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy with a few brief showers possible.

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 28C / 82F

Sunset Today: 6:16 P.M Read more

BONAIRE:--- Monday, the 11th of September 2023 marked the official kick-off of the two-year police training program for the Dutch Caribbean. During the opening ceremony, the 24 new aspiring officers were welcomed by the Chief of Police, Mr. Alwyn Braaf. Afterward, the students received an introduction to what awaits them for the next two years in the presence of the Force Management Team (KMT), the team chief Caribbean of the Police Academy, Mr Read more

Court Issues Interlocutory JudgmentAnsaryS Liability Upheld.

Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has taken note of the Common Court of Justices decision today on the appeal in the case of Ennia v. Ansary et al.
In todays interlocutory judgment, the Court upheld the liability of Ansary and others. The Court found Ennia's claims to be admissible, entitling Ennia to damages amounting to at least NAf 250 million (USD 117 million, USD 11 million, and NAf 25.8 million).
In order to address the remaining claims, the Court has determined that an investigation by an independent expert is necessary, while both parties will be required to provide additional information.
In particular, the investigation will focus on determining Mullet Bays fair value during the relevant years Read more

Mr. Chairman, Members of Parliament, Good Morning,

As stipulated in our constitution, I now stand before you on this second Tuesday in September, to set out the policy to be pursued by the Government in the coming parliamentary year 2023-2024.

Since 2021, reform measures have been established as part of the mutual agreement with the Netherlands in exchange for financial support, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Structural reforms for the improvement and restructuring of government are in the areas of Financial Control, Cost and Effectiveness of the Public Sector, Taxes, Financial Sector, Economic Reforms, Health, Education, and Strengthening the Rule of Law.

From the very beginning, the Government of Sint Maarten has stressed the importance of the National Development Vision as instructions for all of Sint Maarten's development, including these reform measures Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, September 12, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) September 13, 2023

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Occasionally cloudy with brief isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 28C / 82F

Sunset Today: 6:17 P.M Read more

Emmanuel: Ansary Stole From Ennia,Not The People Of St. Maarten

~ Chides Ministers for infantile public behaviour ~

Independent MP and leader of the NOW party Christophe Emmanuel on Sunday said he is in disbelief over the behavior of the government of St. Maarten while the Dutch government tries to impose a loan on the people of St. Maarten to cover the criminal actions of Husang Ansary and his co-conspirators. What is the priority of the government? It is unbelievable the infantile behavior we are witnessing from Ministers while the house is burning around us, MP Emmanuel said.

The MP said while the Prime Minister is gansta-rapping on social media and the Minister of Finance is making paper-plane videos in a fishing hat, the Dutch is forcing St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  The landscape of education is undergoing a transformation powered by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). As we step into an era of unparalleled technological progress, it is crucial to recognize the potential of AI in shaping the future classroom. However, concerns loom large over the responsible implementation of AI in education, highlighting the need for a balanced and thoughtful approach to ensure optimal learning outcomes for all, remarked Stuart Johnson President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union on Tuesday.

Johnson, added, With AI's capabilities to personalize learning experiences, provide instant feedback, and adapt to individual student needs, educators around the world need to explore innovative ways to harness its potential Read more

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Mp Wescot-Williams Shares Her Thoughts At The Closing Of The Parliamentary Year 2023-2024.

MP Wescot: On Monday, September 11, we close the 2022-2023 parliamentary year and as customary, Members of Parliament are given the opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and provide some thoughts for the coming year. On Tuesday, Governor Ajamu Baly will present the Governments Statement for the coming year.

In MP Wescots view, this presentation comes at a peculiar time, with elections scheduled for January 2024; no budget for 2024 and the usual behavior of the ministers towards parliament.

Of course the absence of an amended 2023 budget and the tardiness in submitting the 2024 draft budget do not faze this government one bit.

Nevertheless our constitution prescribes this presentation Read more

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