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India finds itself in "sweet spot" of lower deficits, more growth

NEW DELHI--India can increase investment to drive economic growth without borrowing more, a key government report said on Friday, in an indication that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will stick to debt targets in his maiden full-year budget on Saturday.

The Economic Survey, the basis for Jaitley's budget for the fiscal year starting April 1, forecast growth of 8.1 percent to 8.5 percent under new calculations that make India the world's most dynamic big economy. The forecast marks an acceleration from growth of 7.4 percent in the current fiscal year.

"India has reached a sweet spot and .. Read more

Jamaica decriminalises marijuana in small amounts with newly passed ‘ganja’ Bill

KINGSTON, Jamaica--The Jamaica parliament gave the green light Tuesday night to the amendments of the Dangerous Drugs Act make possession of two ounces or less of marijuana a non-arrestable, ticketable offence that attracts no criminal record.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting piloted the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill that was passed with five amendments in the Senate on February 6.

Opposition Spokesman on Justice and Security Delroy Chuck called for the Portia Simpson-Miller government to renegotiate international treaties relating to marijuana.

He told legislators that that Jamaica should push for marijuana, popularly known here as "ganja," to be struck from the United Nations list of prohibited substances.

The government has said it intends to cash-in on the decriminalisation of ganja, particularly in the area of medicinal use, which is a US $2.5 billion market in the United States.

The reaction to the news on social media was swift with an outpouring of support via Twitter.

Under the amendment to the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, if a person found in possession of a small quantity of ganja is a minor or an adult who appears to be dependent on the substance, they are to be referred to the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) by the police officer issuing the ticket.

Additionally, the Bill prohibits the smoking of marijuana in public places, and makes provisions for the granting of licences, permits and other authorisations to enable the establishment of a regulated industry for ganja for medical, scientific and therapeutic uses.

It also provides for the creation of a Cannabis Licensing Authority, which will be responsible for developing the regulations governing the medical marijuana industry Read more

Gasoline price goes up, diesel fuel drops today

PHILIPSBURG--Consumers will have to fork out more money to buy gasoline, but will pay a tad less for diesel fuel as of today, Friday, February 27.

A statement issued by Minister of Economic Affairs Claret Connor after 7:00pm Thursday said the price of gasoline and diesel fuel would be adjusted today as of 6:00am. The price of gasoline will rise from NAf Read more

Buncamper case will be heard on June 10

PHILIPSBURG--The criminal case against former Minister Maria Buncamper-Molanus (47), her husband Claudius Buncamper (51), notary F.E.G. (70) and suspects I.A.H. (46) and T.O.W. (68) will be heard by the court on June 10, it was decided Thursday.

The one-day hearing will concern charges of involvement with fraud, forgery of documents and participation in a criminal organisation to include a transaction with a piece of land that had been given on long lease.

Buncamper-Molanus ran on the United People’s (UP) party slate for the August 29, 2014, parliamentary election, but is a former Democratic Party (DP) Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour.

The case against the Buncampers came to light in December 2010, when documents surfaced in which it was revealed that they had sold the economic rights to a plot of land on long lease to a company named Eco Green N.V., against payment of US $3 million.

Buncamper-Molanus had obtained the rights of long lease to the government property against annual payment of approximately US $10,000 in April 2008, while she was a member of the then-Executive Council.

Three days after Eco Green was established, with figurehead T.O.W Read more

NIPA subsidy ‘ceased’ in Aug 2014, is now being corrected

PHILIPSBURG--The subsidy for National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) had “ceased” in August last year, and is currently being corrected by authorities, Secretary-General of the Education Ministry Jorien Wuite told Members of Parliament (MPs) Friday.

Wuite said it had been discovered that there had been a “discrepancy” in what NIPA had received as subsidy, “which placed them in a sensitive” situation Read more

Mingo refuses to disclose details of Checkmate security contract

~ Owner's identity not provided ~

PHILIPSBURG--Questions relating to the Harbour Group of Companies' contract with Checkmate Security Services and the status of security at the port, as well as the Group's "clandestine attitude" were amongst the hot-button issues discussed in Thursday's presentation to Parliament's Permanent Committee for Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) at Parliament House.

Committee Chairman United St. Maarten (US) party leader MP Frans Richardson organised the meeting, which was broadcast live, with the expressed goal of hearing directly from Harbour Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo and his team about a number of pressing issues.

Mingo remained mum on most questions relating to security, citing competition and safety-related concerns, as well as contractual obligations.

He did not present any "information and documentation regarding the security contract with Checkmate Security Company" as formally requested by Democratic Party (DP) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams through MP Richardson Read more

Roads closed and traffic diverted for bicycle race

PHILIPSBURG--In connection with the upcoming cycling competition organised by "Dutch Riders Cycling Club Mo Trouble" which will be held on Sunday, March 1, the police are making the following announcement.

The race will start at 9:00am and will continue until around 1:00pm. During this period, races will take place in different categories. Noting the growing trend of these races, which will be held once a month, permission has been granted by the Ministry of Justice.

The race on March 1 will consist of 13 laps around Great Salt Pond for senior riders (A, B, and C, classes) and 4 laps of Walter Nisbeth Road for the junior class (D).

The race will start at Central Bank of Curaçao and St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  United People's (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake is preparing to send a letter through the Chairman of Parliament to the Minister of Finance about getting rid of the expat ruling which is costing Government more than half a million guilders.

"As a country, Government has to get serious with the expat agreement Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday February 25th at approximately 01.35 a.m. during a routine control by police of a SUV, which was parked on the beach close to La Bamba, one suspect was arrested for drugs possession. The police approached this vehicle in which two unknown men were sitting and as the police got closer these men they started behaving quite suspiciously. When one of the investigating officers looked in the car he saw a white substance resembling cocaine on the trousers of one of the occupants and noticed that he also had a rolled-up dollar in his hand Read more

Prime Minister Celebrates Working Birthday In Tortola

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs was presented with a special birthday cake to make his special day special on Thursday while in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Gumbs was congratulated and wished well by European Union officials and its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) leaders.

The officials were in discussion about funding via the European Development Fund (EDF) for projects and programmes.

In photo: Gumbs with his birthday cake and is flanked by Curacao Prime Minister Ivar Asjes and BVI Premier Dr Read more

Mp Lake To Look Into Expat Ruling. Local Professionals Need Improved Incentives

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake is preparing to send a letter through the Chairman of Parliament to the Minister of Finance about getting rid of the expat ruling which is costing Government more than half a million guilders.

"As a country, Government has to get serious with the expat agreement Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday February 20th during a ceremony organized at the Police Head quarters several police officers received their long awaited promotions in the presence of other colleagues and family members. The promotions were handed out by the Acting Chief of Police Commissioner Carl John. Officers Rudolph Bloeiman and Delano Baptist were both promoted to Chief Inspector of Police, Officers Raichel Doran, Claudio Ellis, Sharlon Cathalina and Estario Petty were all promoted to Inspector of Police; Officer Igmar Woodley was promoted to Sergeant, officers Rexcarlos Courtar and Sidney van Bosse both received their certificates for an advanced training in the handling of traffic accidents Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams who is representing the Democratic Party in Parliament dispatched a letter to griffier of Parliament and copied to MP Frans Richardson to request the representatives of the St Read more

>GREATBAY:--- A full scale investigation into the harbour's relationship with Checkmate Security Services and the newly updated contract between the two entities is being called for by leader of the One St. Maarten People's Party Lenny Priest, who said that such an investigation must be conducted by the RST Detectives with the assistance of a leading Accounting firm that is not established in St. Maarten.

The OSPP leader has taken issue with reports of a US$2.2 million increase in a contract between the harbour and Checkmate Security services for the latter to provide security services at the harbour Read more

style="text-align: center;">Leonard was offered Mediator Position at Department of Labor therefore she resigned --- Unconstitutional Election Called.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Several members of the WICSU/PSU union are now asking questions as to where the members of the board disappeared to. According to some of the members who spoke to SMN News on the condition of anonymity said that the President of WICSU/PSU Derie Leonard called an election for March 20th 2015, they said she sent out a notice to all members informing them that persons that are interested in postulating should do so before February 27th 2015 Read more

Ospp Wants Investigation Into Harbour And Checkmate Relationship

GREATBAY, St. Maarten - A full scale investigation into the harbour's relationship with Checkmate Security Services and the newly updated contract between the two entities is being called for by leader of the One St. Maarten People's Party Lenny Priest, who said that such an investigation must be conducted by the RST Detectives with the assistance of a leading Accounting firm that is not established in St. Maarten.

The OSPP leader has taken issue with reports of a US$2.2 million increase in a contract between the harbour and Checkmate Security services for the latter to provide security services at the harbour Read more

Princess Heights Awarded Prestigious Green Key Eco-Label Certification

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) awarded Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel with the first and only Green Key Eco-label certification in St. Maarten, solidifying St. Maarten's reputation as a destination that is serious about the environment.

"Here at Princess Heights, we've been using Green Key guidelines as a model for best practices for many years," said Emil Lee, General Manager of Princess Heights.

"If 'being green' translated to higher prices, it would not be sustainable for businesses to make green choices.

We believe that the Green Key model is straightforward, good for the environment, good for the island and good for tourism," Lee continued.

International Green Key Director Finn Thomsen of the non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which owns and runs the program, was on hand to mark the hotel's Green Key inauguration.

This was the first inauguration he has attended in the Caribbean Read more

Editorial: Clarion Call (University Of St. Maarten Needs Attention)

Member of Parliament Maurice Lake will ask today some attention for the University of St. Martin – a call that is long overdue.

That the university has been struggling for years to make ends meet is no secret to anybody. It is also no secret that successive government have make all kinds of demands on USM over the years but when it came to funding sorely needed courses, there was nobody home at Clem Labega Square.

We have no illusion that all this will suddenly change because one MP is drawing attention to the fact that the government finally has to take the university serious.

Nevertheless, there it is – a clarion call that should finally wake up some people Read more

Gracita Arrindell Candidate For Dutch Council Of State

St. Maarten –Drs. Gracita Arrindell is a candidate to fill the position for St. Maarten at the Council of State in The Hague, the former president of parliament confirmed to this newspaper on Saturday. The appointment has not yet been formally announced.

Arrindell would succeed Dennis Richardson who sat on the council until he was appointed minister of justice in the third Wescot-Williams cabinet in 2013 Read more

Mp Lake Wants More Money For University

St. Maarten – United People’s party MP Maurice Lake has submitted a list of points for the plan of action of the permanent parliamentary committee for education, culture, youth and sports. The committee will meeting today to discuss a draft a plan of action for 2015.

Lake suggests that the government recognizes the University of St Read more

Importance of transparency

Dear Editor,

With a government in office for just over 60 days, a feeling of discontentment with government is discernible. While part of this can be attributed to a feeling of ever-present political apathy, the fact cannot be denied that a government formed without even an indirect approval by the electorate; an uneasy composition of coalition "partners" with very diverse manifestos and philosophies, and the absence of a governing accord contribute in no small measure to the feeling of dissatisfaction or inquietude one can sense daily in the community.

The Democratic Party is also of the belief that the talk of transparency, but in reality the often times disregard for such, only exacerbates the situation outlined above.

Partial information is even more damaging, as then all sorts of stories are conjured up.

There are many small steps that government can take as measures to promote transparency as part of the bigger objective of promoting integrity Read more

New US defense chief hints little change in IS strategy

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait--New U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Monday America had the right "ingredients" of a strategy to combat Islamic State, emerging from talks with top U.S. military and diplomatic leaders without hinting at any fundamental shift in the campaign.
  After a day of meetings in Kuwait, Carter acknowledged some room for improvement, broadly suggesting some allies could contribute more to the fight and saying the United States needed to be more aggressive on social media combating Islamic State Read more

New Harbour security contract raises questions

~ Checkmate gets $2.2 million increase ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Harbour Group of Companies is expected to finalise a new agreement with Checkmate Security Services this week that will see the security company earn three times as much in 2015 as it did over the last year for services rendered at the port.

The Daily Herald understands that the Harbour subsidiary St. Maarten Ports Authority has budgeted US $3,138,300 for 2015 to spend on outside security services (Checkmate Security), up from $963,715 spent in 2014.

According to the Harbour's 2015 budget, a copy of which this newspaper has in its possession, the hourly rate charged by the security company increased in September 2013 from $6.75 to $7.07, a hike of roughly 5 per cent Read more

Court orders minister to take decision on beach-chair affair

OYSTER POND--The Court of First Instance has given the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) six weeks to make a decision in a dispute about the placement of chairs and umbrellas on the beach in Oyster Bay, which has already been dragging on for years.

The "beach-chair affair" involves three parties: Oyster Bay Beach Resort's owner Pearl Development NV, owner of Mr. Busby's beach bar Low Road to Heaven NV and Laissez Faire NV on behalf of The Great House apartment complex.

All parties claim rights to place beach chairs and umbrellas on the beach, but despite several court rulings up until now government has failed to make a decision on the matter.

During the hearing of this case, which was filed in November 2014 and heard by the court on February 2, 2015, lawyer Hedy Kocks claimed Oyster Bay Beach Resort is in possession of a permit to place 130 chairs on the beach since 2008.

By contrast, Kocks said Mr Read more