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Answers Will Have To Wait Until Mid-January: Parliament Wants Clarity About Housing Foundation

St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs answered the call to appear in Parliament as the acting minister of public housing within 72 hours after he was sworn in on Friday. Members of Parliament appreciated that, even though Gumbs sent them on their way with a flea in their ear, after listening to questions about the chaos of the St. Maarten Housing Development foundation for more than two hours.

The minister brought to mind the words he spoke on Friday in the constituting meeting where his team officially took over the reins: “The country needs tranquility, stability, civility and prosperity.”

Furthermore, Gumbs noted: “Integrity has been a buzz word this year Read more

Is the Dutch government guilty by association?

Dear Editor,

Now that the dust has blown over, we finally have a government even though the people didn't vote for them. The Kingdom Council of Ministers indirectly appoints a cabinet for St. Maarten, first time in the history of the kingdom, with the blessing of the leader of the UP, Mr. Theodore Heyliger.

The leader of the UP, MP Theodore Heyliger succumb to the pressure of the Dutch government by first withdrawing his name as a candidate for Prime Minister of St Read more

Editorial - Do what it has to

A press release by new Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in today’s paper reminds civil servants that they are expected to report for work on Friday, January 2. The recently-installed Council of Ministers decided last week not to grant the day after New Year’s Day as an extra day off.

Publicly announcing such is highly necessary, because it had become almost a custom to give days off for dates sandwiched between public holidays and the weekend, seemingly without much regard for the loss of productivity and lack of service to the population.

Moreover, many would tend to stay home even when no such permission was granted Read more

Ministers to now speak via press secretary, weekly briefings ended

PHILIPSBURG--The recently installed Marcel Gumbs Cabinet appears to have erected a wall between itself and the press by establishing a “Press Secretariat” via which all ministers will communicate to the public. The live weekly Council of Ministers press briefing has been cancelled in favour of the new press secretary holding ad hoc briefings to tell the press what ministers have been working on.

The new Press Secretariat is led by former journalist Michael Granger, now press secretary to Prime Minister Gumbs Read more

Civil servants to report to work on January 2

PHILIPSBURG--The new Council of Ministers decided last week not to give government workers an extra day off on January 2, the day after New Year's Day.

As a result, all civil servants are expected to report to work on Friday, January 2, a press release stated. January 2, the release added, is not a public holiday.

New Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs urged civil servants who would like an extra day off to enjoy a long weekend to seek and request approval for a vacation day via their department heads.

He said 2015, from day one, is "a crucial year for St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The leader of the UP, MP Theodore Heyliger succumb to the pressure of the Dutch government by first withdrawing his name as a candidate for Prime Minister of St. Maarten, a position that he stated during the campaign that he was ready and able to take on Read more

All Civil Servants to Report to Work on Friday January 2nd, 2015.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- All civil servants are expected to report to work on Friday, January 2. The Council of Ministers took a decision last week not to grant government's personnel the extra day off following New Year's day. This day is not a public holiday. However, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs encourages those civil servants who would like an extra day off to enjoy another long weekend, to request and seek approval for a vacation day via their department heads Read more

Lenny Preist Says Up Leader Bends Under Dutch Pressure

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The leader of the UP, MP Theodore Heyliger succumb to the pressure of the Dutch government by first withdrawing his name as a candidate for Prime Minister of St. Maarten, a position that he stated during the campaign that he was ready and able to take on.

The fact that he has not made himself available to assume the leadership of this country and to lead the government we consider this an act of treason Read more

Doubts deepen over new Nicaragua canal

MANAGUA--When one of the poorest countries in the Americas and a little-known Chinese businessman said they planned to undertake one of the biggest engineering projects in history, few people took them seriously.

A year and a half after the $50 billion project to build a canal across Nicaragua was launched by President Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla, the doubts have only grown Read more

Editorial - Viable alternatives

The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) wasted no time in presenting its Christmas wish list (see Wednesday paper) to the newly-sworn-in Gumbs cabinet. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, especially because it regards the main employers’ organisation of the Dutch side.

While much of the release focussed on issues with government-owned companies, a call once again was made to repeal the turnover tax (TOT) because of its “extremely destructive nature.” The association used as argument that, according to the recent presentation of Finance Minister Martin Hassink in Parliament, annual income for the national treasury has stayed flat at about NAf Read more

Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels swap hundreds of prisoners

KIEV--Ukraine's government and pro-Russian separatists on Friday exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war while Kiev said it would suspend all train and bus service to Crimea, effectively creating a transportation blockade to and from the region.

The agreement to swap 150 Ukrainian servicemen for 222 rebels followed peace talks between envoys of Ukraine, Russia, the separatists and European security watchdog Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Wednesday.

Ukrainian transportation chiefs said the reason for suspending train and bus service was the need to protect passengers due to a "deteriorating" security situation on the Black Sea peninsula, annexed by Russia in March Read more

No Xmas babies this year, two born on Boxing Day

CAY HILL--No babies were born in St. Maarten on Christmas Day, however, two bouncing bundles of joy entered the world on Boxing Day, Friday, December 26.

The first baby, an eight pound girl named Raylesha, was delivered by midwife Regina Janga at 10:30am on Friday to parents Rayshantly Amerikaan and Ilegio Illidge. This is Rayshantly's first child Read more

Two people injured in unrelated stabbings

PHILIPSBURG--The idea of maintaining peace over Christmas was not adhered to by everyone, as the police had to deal with two unrelated stabbings on the night of Thursday into Friday.

One person, who was stabbed on Charity Drive, off L.B. Scott Road, around 10:00pm, is critically injured, acting police spokesman Inspector Steven Carty confirmed Read more

Parliament in recess until January 1st. Meetings resume in the week of January 12

>PHILIPSBURG:---  President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD informed Members of Parliament that the House as of December 22 is in Christmas holiday recess until January 1st.

Parliamentary sessions are to resume in the weeks of January 12 and January 26.

A parliamentary delegation will be traveling to Aruba for the Ki Read more

Parliament In Recess Until January 1St. Meetings Resume In The Week Of January 12

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD informed Members of Parliament that the House as of December 22 is in Christmas holiday recess until January 1st.

Parliamentary sessions are to resume in the weeks of January 12 and January 26.

A parliamentary delegation will be traveling to Ar Read more

Up Leader Mp Hon. Theo Heyliger On The Eve Of Christmas Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – My Fellow Sint Maarteners,

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the season. This is a period of giving, sharing, and taking care of those less fortunate.

The weeks leading up to the eve of Christmas has seen various organizations and companies within our community giving back; sharing, and leaving behind goods and other items that they can use, the true values of good will to all men.

I praise those who would be working through the holiday season to serve and protect others, our Police, Fire Services and the Emergency Medical Services.

I praise those working around the clock at the St Read more

>Dear people of St. Maarten,
we are going through turbulent and challenging times and many are wondering where their next meal is coming from or if they will have a roof over their heads, while others worry about the increasing cost of living while the wages stay the same, and yet another worries about illness, sadness or grief.
To all of you who are challenged at this time I say to you never give up, for we serve a risen Saviour who always fulfills His promises.
This season of Christmas is a season of Peace, for He was sent as a babe to bring Peace to the world.
Yet those that focus on greed and ownership have continued to push us into war, division and ultimately driven many to poverty.
Therefor I appeal to all who do have this Christmas season to share with those who don't.
The best feeling in the world is to be able to give Read more

Cuban dissidents shaken by US rapprochement, seek new tactics

HAVANA--President Barack Obama's decision to end five decades of enmity with Cuba has shaken the island's political dissidents, dividing their ranks and forcing them to rethink tactics.

Throughout the Cold War and beyond, the United States relied on the small dissident movement to lead domestic opposition to Cuba's communist government and keep track of human rights abuses. So after Obama last week tore up the tough, decades-old policy aimed at crippling Cuba, some dissidents feel betrayed and unsure of their movement, which infuriates the government and has limited public support.

The United States will still encourage Cubans to push for more political rights but it now has its own direct channel to President Raul Castro's government, raising uncertainty about the dissidents' future value to the Americans Read more

Aquatic Federation now official member of FINA

PHILIPSBURG--The recently established St. Maarten Aquatic Federation (SMAF) announced Tuesday it is now an official member of the world governing body of all aquatic sports, Fédération Internationale de Natation FINA.

"Being a recognised body brings forth a myriad of opportunities for swimmers specifically due to the fact other aquatic sports such as water polo are still to be developed in St Read more

Ruthless Bengals punish sloppy Manning to clinch playoff spot

CINCINNATI--The Cincinnati Bengals intercepted Peyton Manning four times to clinch a playoff berth with a big-play filled 37-28 victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday.

Playing in pouring rain, the Bengals staged a fourth-quarter recovery after blowing a 13-point lead to earn a fourth straight trip to the post-season.

"This one was big. We knew what we were up against... at home, playing on Monday Night in prime time," Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton told reporters Read more

Suriname lauds US, Cuba on restoration of relations

PARAMARIBO--President Desi Bouterse has complimented Cuban President Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama on the restoration of relations between their countries. "My compliments to you for taking this grand step," Bouterse wrote on Monday in letters that were dispatched to both Presidents.

His letters are in response to announcements from both the White House and Havana on Wednesday last week that they would restore diplomatic relations after 53 years of separation. In his letter to Obama Bouterse wrote: "Today marks a milestone in the shift of the foreign policy of your country Read more

PM: Christmas time to share experiences

PHILIPSBURG--"This is the time of year when families near and far gather to celebrate and share their experiences of the past year in an atmosphere of joy, and when neighbours come together in a spirit of friendliness, peace and unity," said new Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in his first Christmas message to the country.

"This is also the season when we are reminded that in spite of the general feeling of goodwill, there are persons among us who, for many reasons and circumstances, are unable to participate in any festivities or fellowship Read more

Five to go on trial in Buncamper case

PHILIPSBURG--Not only United People's (UP) party member Maria Buncamper-Molanus will stand trial for tax fraud, fraud and participation in a criminal organisation. Four other suspects, among them also her husband Claudius Buncamper, have been summoned to appear in the Court of First Instance for a pro forma/pre-trial hearing in this case scheduled for January 7, 2015.

The case against Buncamper-Molanus (47), her husband, Claudius Buncamper (51), notary F.E.G Read more

SHTA welcomes, outlines tasks at hand for new government

~ Narrows in on finances, govt-owned companies ~

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has issued a statement welcoming new Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and the newly appointed ministers, amidst what it says has been a time of widespread lack of trust in St. Maarten's unstable government. The largest business representative on the island has taken notice of the increased discussion of late – both in and out of the media – about the instability of the Dutchside's government and the damage it is doing to the economy.

"The lack of trust in our current governing system has led to a widespread belief that transparency and integrity are seriously lacking Read more