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PHILIPSBURG:--- Through its work, Transparency International (TI), a global organization, hopes to realize a world in which government, business, civil society and the daily lives of people will be free of corruption. Upon a country’s request, TI assesses its weaknesses and strengths with regard to integrity and good governance. Assessments were conducted in the Netherlands in 2012, for Curaçao in 2013 and for Sint Maarten in 2015.

To be able to assess a country’s integrity, TI looks at several pillars such as the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, the public sector, law enforcement agencies, etc Read more

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Arubians Are Our Extended Family

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister William Marlin, during the Aruba Day ceremony organized by the Chuchubi Foundation, recently stated that the ties between St. Maarten and Aruba go beyond our shared history of being part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as it is even deeper than cultural bonds, as blood ties make us family.

Prime Minister Marlin further alluded to the fact that visiting San Nicolaas in Aruba is like being in Middle Region or Cole Bay, as the family ties have never been broken, but rather remained strong.

The Prime Minister used the famous quote from Franklin Roosevelt, which states, “Friendship among nations, as among individuals, calls for constructive efforts to muster the forces of humanity in order that an atmosphere of close understanding and cooperation may be cultivated.” With this the Prime Minister drew reference to the fact that the Chuchubi Foundation seeks to cultivate with its activities an “atmosphere of close understanding and cooperation.”

As it relates to cooperation, Prime Minister Marlin stated that one area that needs urgent attention is transportation, as he speaks from personal experience of the difficulty passengers have been encountering in getting from St Read more

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Quarry Explosion Update: Death Toll Now At Three, 20 Injured, Several Missing

By SNO Staff

The dead and injured are believed to comprise mainly company employees.

Many of the persons hospitalised are in serious or critical condition, officials said.

Search parties are working throughout the night for the missing, officials said.

Though reports suggest that about eight people are missing, a company official said they’re still trying to get an account of all workers and are unable to give a definitive figure at this time.

The explosion, which occurred after 5 p.m Read more

MARIGOT: --- The Leader of MJP Loui Mussington has changed his party name to Alliance for Hope, Prosperity, and Justice as he formed a new list with the leader of HOPE Jules Charville. Mussington told SMN News late Tuesday afternoon that he did everything possible to form a list based on the way the people voted and he also wanted to include MVP since they were the third highest vote getter but the leader of MVP did not go along with his proposal because he is leading the list Read more

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Up Party: Crime Victims Deserve To Be Treated With Respect

PHILIPSBURG – The United People’s (UP) Party has taken note of the appeal by Attorney-at-Law Geert Hatzmann where an official complaint has been filed with the Joint Court of Justice against the non-arrest of a man who allegedly severely mistreated his mother in February.

“Not knowing the details of the case, and understanding the frustration of the lawyer where the alleged perpetrator continues to walk free while the victim may live in fear because of this,” a release said.

“Victims’ rights are part and parcel of an individual’s protections and to be treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity Read more

Mp Connor Attends Aruba National Day Celebrations.

ARUBA – United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Claret Connor, was in attendance of the St. Maarten vs Curaçao soccer match in support of the St. Maarten under-13 soccer selection squad, during an official weekend visit to Aruba in celebration of its 2017 “Dia di himno y Bandera” National Anthem and Flag Day ceremonies.

MP Connor stated that it is important as leaders to show support “…to our developing youth as they value our attention and support very much and are encouraged to know we care about their wellbeing.”

“Despite the loss to an obviously stronger Curaçao team, St Read more

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Prime Minister William Marlin’S Condolence Message On Passing Of Derek Walcott

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — It is with a very heavy heart that I received the news of the passing of Sir Derek Alton Walcott, KCSL OBE OCC, winner of the 1992 Nobel Prize in Literature early Friday morning, March 17, 2017, at his home near Gros Islet in St. Lucia at 87.

Sir Derek was not only a genial St Read more

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Casablanca Human Trafficking Case: Prosecutor Demands 8 Years Against Brothel Director

Source Today Newspaper

GREAT BAY – The public prosecutor demanded 8 years of imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 guilders against McQuincy R. the 39-year old director of the Casablanca brothel. Jessy R., 45, goes to prison for 7 years if it is up to the prosecution and she’ll have to pay also a 200,000 fine. The prosecutor wants to fine Casablanca NV an additional 30,000 guilders for fiscal fraud.

Carmen P., the 67-year old owner of the Casablanca building is facing 5 years of imprisonment and her son David E Read more

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Member Of Parliament Brownbill And The Rest Suspects In Emerald-Investigation Released

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten —  All five suspects detained in the Emerald-investigation will be released from pre-trial detention by the Prosecutor’s Office during the course of the day on Saturday March 18, 2017.

They are the suspects Chanel Brownbill, Shervin Williams, Akeem Arrindell, C. Davis. and K.L. The Prosecutor’s Office does not find it necessary for the case against them that they remain in detention .

They all remain suspects in the ongoing investigation Read more

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Chanel Brownbill along with other suspects expected to be released.

PHILIPSBURG:--- All five suspects detained in the Emerald-investigation will be released from pre-trial detention by the Prosecutor’s Office during the course of the day on Saturday, March 18,
2017. They are the suspects C.B., S.W., A.A., C.D. and K.L. The Prosecutor’s Office does not find it necessary for the case against them that they remain in detention Read more

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Prime Minister Marlin Updates On Several Issues

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister (PM) William Marlin made some remarks in Wednesday’s, March 15, Council of Ministers Press Briefing, and updated on several issues.

Last week his Ministry received the Ransomware Report, which will be discussed tomorrow (Thursday) in a special meeting of the Council of Ministers along with the Secretary General of ICT, and some others along with the Council of Ministers.

ICT Technicians have said that at least they know how the virus entered into the system Read more

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Minister Gibson: Let’S Keep Up This Trend

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Finance Richard Gibson in Wednesday’s, March 15, Council of Ministers Press Briefing gave a short update on his Ministry’s activities.

This week he was paid a visit by Minister of Finance of Curaçao Kenneth Gijsbertha, where in an extensive meeting, common issues were addressed, amongst which the Central Bank Read more

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Minister Lee: We Are Taking Compliance Seriously

PHILIPSBURG – In Wednesday’s, March 15, Council of Ministers Press Briefing, Minister of Health, Labor, and Social Affairs Emil Lee elaborated on the controls his Ministry conducted on businesses on the Dutch side last Friday.

“We conducted a multi-disciplinary control. This was a multi-ministerial cooperation. The team that went out last Friday comprised of Inspectors from Labor, the Ministry of VSA, labor inspectors with the assistance of the Ministry of Finance, tax inspectors with the assistance of the Ministry of Justice, immigration officers as well as representatives from SVB,” Minister Lee stated.

This included cooperation with other departments like VROMI, which is in the process of helping to produce a detailed map of the Dutch, “so that we can literally map out a door to door campaign in terms of how we’re moving forward with compliance.”

Minister Lee clarified that contrary to statements in the media, that businesses had been closed, “I want to state for the record that we did not close any businesses Read more

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Minister Jacobs: Together We Can Definitely Make A Change

PHILIPSBURG – In Wednesday’s, March 15, Council of Ministers Press Briefing, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs first extended condolences to the family of Aniek Arrindell, who had been battling illness and succumbed to it.

In an update on the stabbing incident at St. Maarten Vocational School (SMVTS), the Minister stated, “I know that the incident that is in St Read more

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Election Committee Meets To Discuss Upcoming Chamber Bi-Election

PHILIPSBURG, The Election Committee of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce met to discuss the upcoming Chamber Bi-Election.

The Electorate

In accordance with Federal Ordinance of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (P.B. 1944 No.202) one position on the Board representing Small Business has become vacant due to a resignation.

Voters for Small Businesses are those entitled to vote, whose names appear in the Commercial Register as involved in an established company with less than NAf Read more

MARIGOT:--- A very low voter’s turnout on Sunday for the first round of the Territorial Election has left three of the eight political parties that contested the election to battle next Sunday in the second round.58.6 % of the voters did not vote on Sunday, leaving only 42.4 % of the voters to determine who will govern the French side for the next five years. Of the 20275 registered voters, only 8642 voters cast their votes for the eight political parties that contested the election.
Despite the low voter's turnout Team Gibbs 2017, headed by Daniel Gibbs scored 4096 of the votes, while the MJP headed by Louie Mussington came in second with 1,152 votes and MVP headed by Alain Richardson, third with 990 votes Read more

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Minister Collaborates With Lions Anti-Drug And Alcohol Campaign

From left: Truancy Officer Sachel Hyman; Inspectorate Chief Operations Officer Suënah Martis; Culture, Youth and Sport Inspector Betty Ellis, Minister Silveria Jacobs, St. Maarten Lions Club President Davey Woods; St. Maarten Leos Club Advisor Lisandra Ellis Havertong; and St. Maarten Lions Club member Christ’l Larmonie.

PHILIPSBURG--Drug and alcohol abuse by the island’s youth is a serious matter that must be addressed urgently, was the message brought forward by Minister of Youth Affairs Silveria Jacobs at a kick-off press conference with the St Read more

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Sarah: D66 ‘Will Push For Improved Relations’

PHILIPSBURG--The Democrats 66, led by Alexander Pechtold, “will push for improved and respectful relations in the Dutch Kingdom, that is my fervent hope, in any case,” said Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Wil Read more

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Mp Stays Behind Bars, Us Party Supports Him

PHILIPSBURG--Thursday marked the second day Member of Parliament (MP) Chanel Brownbill stayed in detention on order of the Anti-Corruption Team that detained him on Wednesday morning. Brownbill is a suspect in the Emerald investigation.

  The United St. Maarten Party (US Party) board said Thursday that it stands by and supports its party member and MP in the current investigation Read more

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Jacobs Focuses On Parents, Youth In Carnival Speech

Minister of Culture Silveria Jacobs. (File photo)

PHILIPSBURG--As the Carnival season quickly approaches with jump-ups, pageants, calypso eliminations and parades ahead of the opening of the Carnival Village, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs stressed several key factors in a Carnival season address to the population on Thursday.

  She said to the parents, “Keep your children close during the jump-ups and parades, and ensure they attend age-appropriate events Read more

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Major Steps For International Protection Of Caribbean Sharks Following Dutch Proposal

CAYENNE, French Guiana - Great news for shark conservation in the Caribbean. On March 13th, 2017 it was officially decided to protect eight shark species under the international Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol following a proposal by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs in cooperation with a team of shark experts. The SPAW protocol is the only cross-border legislative instrument for nature conservation in the Wider Caribbean Region Read more

“The Best Me Is Drug Free, The Greatest Me Is Alcohol Free”

~ Ministry ECYS joins forces with Leo Club for Drug and Alcohol Awareness Campaign ~

PHILIPSBURG – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) in collaboration with the St. Maarten Leo Club have joined forces in a quest to tackle the drugs and alcohol abuse by the youth.

Both parties have been exposed to the dangers and this matter is an ongoing problem with a root in the community, which cannot be solved if the matter is not tackled collaboratively.

Drug and alcohol use/abuse by the youth is a serious matter that must be addressed urgently Read more

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Minister Of Culture Silveria Jacobs Carnival Address

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – As the Carnival Season quickly approaches with jump-ups, pageants, calypso eliminations and parades ahead of the opening of the village, I wish my fellow St. Maarteners and visitors alike, much fun and enjoyment of the cultural celebrations St. Maarten has to offer.

Do enjoy the local cuisine, music and revelry, and in everything you do this Carnival season, do it responsibly. I encourage you to not use this time to deal with a petty feuds or create scenes Read more

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Sarah Tests System Of Kingdom’S Responsibilities In ‘De-Risking’ Case

PHILIPSBURG – Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams sent a letter to the Kingdom government requesting the Kingdom Council of Ministers’ views on the matter of derisking by foreign banks.

Wescot-Williams sent her letter via St Read more

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