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Hurricane batters Bahamas, fate of cargo ship unknown

NASSAU, Bahamas--The fate of more than 30 crew aboard a cargo ship missing off the Bahamas in heavy seas whipped up by Hurricane Joaquin was unknown on Friday as the storm battered the island chain for a second day.

News the vessel had lost contact with shore came as forecasters shifted the likely track of the potentially catastrophic storm further away from the U.S. East Coast, but there were still warnings about the possibility of severe flooding in the Carolinas from unrelated heavy rains.

Late Friday afternoon, the U.S Read more

We can’t leave people on islands in the hands of big criminals

Dear Editor,

It isn’t really a festive celebration, the anniversary of the new countries Curaçao and St. Maarten, which became autonomous countries within the Kingdom on October 10, 2010. Poverty has increased enormously, as well as the crime rate. The world of organised crime seems to have taken over the government by buying votes and bribing politicians. In a very short period, the governments of Curaçao and St. Maarten have fallen and nobody exactly knows why.

Last April, all political parties in the Dutch parliament voted in favour of a motion tabled by my VVD-colleague André Bosman and me calling for an investigation into the relationship between the criminal underworld and the legitimate society. That investigation mainly focuses on the relationship between politics and the (illegal) gambling industry where a lot of money is being laundered, possibly with involvement of Dutch companies Read more

Sarah: Elections will not solve ship-jumping issue

~ Cabinet should resign immediately ~

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Friday that calling early elections will not solve the issue of Members of Parliament (MPs) switching their support from one party to another Read more

Sarah confirms she will assume Chairmanship of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams confirmed on Friday that she will be assuming the position of the new Chairperson of Parliament.

DP forms part of the new eight-seat-majority coalition in Parliament Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams told members of the media at the Democratic Party bi-monthly press conference on Friday that calling for early elections is unconstitutional and that members of the current cabinet that got a motion of no confidence from the majority in parliament should have tendered their resignation already Read more

>MARIGOT/PHILIPSBURG:---  80 persons have finalized their participation in the training as interviewers for the ‘How Healthy is Sint Maarten/Saint Martin?’ public health survey.
The training was facilitated by the University of the U.S. Virgin Islands (UVI) through their collaboration with the University of St. Martin (USM) (UVI @ USM), as well as the Department of Statistics (STAT) and three Health Care Professionals volunteering their time and skills for the initiative.
The training, a part of the ‘How Healthy is Sint Maarten/Saint Martin?’ project, was hosted by representatives from both the Dutch and French Governments, under the auspices of the Observatory of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.
The Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), Rafael Boasman, Acting Secretary General Ministry VSA Joy Arnell, the Head of the Public Health Department, Fenna Arnell, the Honorable 2nd Vice President of the Collectivite of Saint-Martin, in charge of Health and Social Affairs, Mrs Read more

80 Persons Certified By Observatory For Public Health Survey

MARIGOT/PHILIPSBURG - 80 persons have finalized their participation in the training as interviewers for the ‘How Healthy is Sint Maarten/Saint Martin?’ public health survey.

The training was facilitated by the University of the U.S. Virgin Islands (UVI) through their collaboration with the University of St. Martin (USM) (UVI @ USM), as well as the Department of Statistics (STAT) and three Health Care Professionals volunteering their time and skills for the initiative. 

The training, a part of the ‘How Healthy is Sint Maarten/Saint Martin?’ project, was hosted by representatives from both the Dutch and French Governments, under the auspices of the Observatory of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.

The Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), Rafael Boasman, Acting Secretary General Ministry VSA Joy Arnell, the Head of the Public Health Department, Fenna Arnell, the Honorable 2nd Vice President of the Collectivite of Saint-Martin, in charge of Health and Social Affairs, Mrs Read more

Dp Leader Outlines Reasons That Destroyed Their Confidence In The Council Of Ministers

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The council of ministers experienced a motion of no confidence against them this Wednesday during a meeting of Parliament.

The motion was initially supported by the opposition National Alliance and the DP factions in parliament however it turned out that the motion was supported by additional members who were thought to be supporters of the current coalition government Read more

New Elections For St. Maarten Possible December 8

From left: Ministers Rafael Boasman, Rita Bourne-Gumbs, Marcel Gumbs, Dennis Richardson, Martin Hassink and Claret Connor during what could be their last press conference. Photo Today / Hilbert Haar

Council of Ministers hits back and dissolves parliament

St Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Reacts To Motivating Points That Led To Motion Of No Confidence Last Wednesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - This past Thursday the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Marcel Gumbs called a press conference and outlined their reaction to the vote of no confidence against his government by the Parliament of St. Maarten.

Prime Minister Gumbs confirmed that the motion took his cabinet by surprise.

He Read more

Opinion: “Self Above Country” 101

Who said politics is boring? The conspirators in parliament had their first laugh on Wednesday when they lured all MPs to the House of Representatives with an irresistible agenda point – the remarks made by Attorney-General Guus Schram about the ties between the criminal underworld and St. Maarten’s legitimate society. Then followed an agenda point about the situation at the government-owned companies, in particular the airport.

But those who thought that the opposition intended to wash the ears of airport director Regina Labega were in for a nasty surprise Read more

Chta's 'Chief' To Explore Cuba Impact On Caribbean Tourism; Taps Industry Experts For Insight

THE CARIBBEAN - One of the most highly anticipated panels of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association's (CHTA) upcoming Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) is "Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" which will take place on the closing day of the conference (Sunday, Oct. 4) from 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m."Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" will delve into how the US-Cuba normalization affects Caribbean business and how hotels can minimize any potential downside impact. Additionally, it will explore the positive opportunities Cuba may present to stimulate the region's growth as a whole.This highly-anticipated session - expected to be standing-room only - will be moderated by Anton Edmunds, Principal, The Edmunds Group International, and will feature the following panelists:Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Principal Partner, BedfordBakerGroupMarla Dukharan, Group Economist, Caribbean Banking, Royal Bank of CanadaSimon Suarez, President, ASONAHORESHugh Riley, CEO and Secretary General, Caribbean Tourism Organization"The efforts towards the normalization of trade and travel between the United States and Cuba opens the door to a renewed focus on Caribbean tourism," said Edmunds Read more

Romny and Catalan win Cycling Club’s Night Race

PHILIPSBURG—Seven Romny won the Junior Division and Steve Catalan took top honours in the seniors at the St. Maarten St. Martin Cycling Club evening race Saturday.

The race had been schooled to be a 100 lap relay consisting of five rider teams.

"Several of the teams pulled out at the last minute." said Jean Paul Rousseau from the Cycling Club.

"We did not want to disappoint the riders that did show so we ran two races." The young riders did five laps of the one kilometre course and the seniors completed 30 laps.

The lap starts on Pond Island by the University, goes to the Salt Pickers Roundabout back to the landfill entrance and finishes back at the University.

Second in the juniors was Noel Kianny Read more

Editorial - Eyes on the ball

It appears St. Maarten is again caught in a “Mexican standoff,” as NA leader William Marlin called it back in 2013 when much of the cabinet with his party’s signature wanted to dissolve Parliament and call early elections after losing its majority support Read more

Plasterk regrets fall of Gumbs cabinet

THE HAGUE--Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk said on Thursday that he regretted the resignation of the St. Maarten Government headed by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs. He urged the next Government to work in the general interest.

Without wanting to become involved in local party politics, Plasterk said he regretted the resignation of the Gumbs cabinet for two reasons: the good cooperation he had with Gumbs and the fact that too many changes of Government were not good for a country.

“The basis of cooperation with Prime Minister Gumbs was good Read more

Sarah: Dismissed ministers cannot turn around to dissolve Parliament

~ Ministers should resign ~

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams says ministers who are dismissed cannot “turn around and dissolve Parliament.”

She was reacting to news that the Gumbs cabinet, against whom a motion of no confidence was passed on Wednesday, had submitted a National Decree to Governor Eugene Holiday on Thursday to dissolve Parliament and call new elections Read more

Gumbs cabinet seeking to dissolve Parliament and call new elections

~Gumbs: NAf. 150,000 available for new elections~

PHILIPSBURG--One day after Parliament passed a motion of no-confidence against the Gumbs Cabinet, the Council of Ministers is seeking to dissolve parliament and have new elections called on Tuesday, December 8.

  Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs announced at a press conference on Thursday that based on several legal advices received last night, the Council made a decision to use Article 59 of the constitution to dissolve parliament Read more

HURRICANE JOAQUIN ADVISORY NUMBER 15A

...JOAQUIN BECOMES AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE......CENTRAL BAHAMAS TO EXPERIENCE HURRICANE FORCE WINDS...STORMSURGE...AND HEAVY RAIN THROUGH TONIGHT...

SUMMARY OF 200 PM EDT...1800 UTC...INFORMATION

----------------------------------------------

LOCATION...23.0N 74.2W

ABOUT 70 MI...115 KM SSE OF SAN SALVADOR BAHAMAS

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...210 KM/H

PRESENT MOVEMENT...SW OR 230 DEGREES AT 6 MPH...9 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...936 MB...27.64 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

--------------------

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
None.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...* Central Bahamas* Northwestern Bahamas including the Abacos, Berry Islands,Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island, and New Providence* The Acklins, Crooked Island, and Mayaguana in the southeasternBahamas
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...* Bimini* Andros Island
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...* Remainder of the southeastern Bahamas including the Turks andCaicos Islands* Andros Island
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expectedsomewhere within the warning area Read more

Gumbs cabinet seeking to dissolve Parliament, call new election Dec. 8

~ PM: NAf. 150,000 available for new elections ~

PHILIPSBURG--One day after Parliament passed a motion of no confidence against the Gumbs Cabinet, the Council of Ministers is seeking to dissolve Parliament and have new elections called on Tuesday, December 8.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs announced at a press conference on Thursday that based on legal advice received the Council had decided to use Article 59 of the Constitution to dissolve Parliament by resolution and call new elections Read more

>PHILIPSBURG: --- Information reaching SMN News states that the eight members of parliament who voted a motion of no confidence against the current Gumbs cabinet already have candidates that will fill the Ministries.
SMN News learnt that Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin will become the next Prime Minister of St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, who is also Minister of General Affairs and responsible for the Fire Department, commends the fire services for their Fire Prevention Month of activities that kicked off on October 1st under the theme: ‘Smoke Detectors Saves Lives.’
The month long activities includes a fire safety awareness workshop for all primary school third graders; installation of smoke detectors in selected houses in some districts; a lecture/workshop for architects and engineers; an open house and fire safety expo.
“Residents and homeowners should be familiar with ways to reduce the risk of fire, and also know how to respond in the event of a fire breaking out in your home Read more

New Elections will not solve the problems of Government Instability, instead it’s fighting fire with fire and would cost government unnecessary spending.

style="text-align: center;">Amending the constitution is the only solution, something government and parliamentarians will not do because its serves them best as is.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The notion that Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and the other members of the council of ministers gave reporters on Thursday is nothing but farce when he said that the only thing that would bring the stability to the country is new elections Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Commends Fire Dept. On Fire Prevention Month Activities

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, who is also Minister of General Affairs and responsible for the Fire Department, commends the fire services for their Fire Prevention Month of activities that kicked off on October 1st under the theme: ‘Smoke Detectors Saves Lives.’

The month long activities includes a fire safety awareness workshop for all primary school third graders; installation of smoke detectors in selected houses in some districts; a lecture/workshop for architects and engineers; an open house and fire safety expo.

“Residents and homeowners should be familiar with ways to reduce the risk of fire, and also know how to respond in the event of a fire breaking out in your home.  There are many things that household owners can do to help keep their families and their possessions safe from fires.

“The smoke detector that is being promoted during this one month period is one device to alert homeowners to a possible fire within the home Read more

St. Maarten Government Falls Again: Fifth Cabinet In Five Years In The Making

UP-leader Theo Heyliger (left) and MP Silvio Matser on 10-10-14 when they were still political allies. Now the political marriage is over: “I cannot take the internal abuse anymore,” Matser said yesterday Read more