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Jamaica PM under fire for multi-million NHT spending

KINGSTON, Jamaica--Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller is facing increasing pressure from the Parliamentary Opposition and local interest groups to dismiss the board of the state-owned housing agency, the National Housing Trust (NHT), following its decision to purchase a cash-strapped tourist attraction called the Outameni Experience.

The debacle began in late October when news broke that the NHT had acquired the nine-acre property for J $180 million (US $1.6 million) nearly two years earlier Read more

US spending bill likely to pass Senate, may take a few days

WASHINGTON--The U.S. Senate looked set to pass a $1.1 trillion spending bill but it might need a few days to overcome procedural hurdles before voting on legislation that averts a government shutdown and ends jitters over major budget standoffs until next fall.

After the House of Representatives narrowly approved the bill late on Thursday following a battle that exposed fraying unity in President Barack Obama's Democratic Party, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid hoped the bill would pass on Friday to spare Americans the drama of yet another budget crisis.

Reid and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell labored to steer the massive spending bill toward passage late Friday but it was unclear whether they could get it done without delay.

Any senator can hold up the vote Read more

Cameron leaves Northern Ireland without agreement to end deadlock

BELFAST--British Prime Minister David Cameron left Northern Ireland on Friday without a deal he hoped would end months of political deadlock over financial and cultural disputes in the province.

The nationalist Sinn Fein party branded efforts by Britain and Ireland to help negotiate an accord as "amateurish".

Britain called all-party talks nine weeks ago aimed at breaking an impasse over budget cuts among Belfast's power-sharing government and settling other divisive issues like parading and the flying of flags Read more

Air traffic control failure disrupts flights over Britain

LONDON--Hundreds of flights to and from London were disrupted on Friday by a technical failure at England's main air traffic control centre, which a senior government minister said was "simply unacceptable".

Flights in and out of Heathrow, which calls itself the world's busiest international airport, were halted for at least an hour, causing knock-on effects across Europe. Heathrow said operations were beginning to resume, but there were also cancellations and delays at other London airports.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin demanded a full explanation for the glitch that forced authorities to limit access to British airspace at one of the busiest times of year Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- A board member of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) Elston Fos was attacked in his yard by a lone gunman late Friday night. SMN News understands that Fos who lives in the Belvedere area escaped unharmed because the weapon the gunman tried to fire at him jammed. It should be noted that Fos is the board member of the SMHDF along with another board member who suspended Henry Lynch on Friday morning for financial discrepancies.
Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte confirmed that the SMHDF board member was attacked by a lone gunman but the weapon malfunctioned Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- For the second consecutive year, Prime Minister and Member of Parliament of St. Maarten, Sarah Wescot-Williams has placed amongst the Top 100 Powerful Women, an annual selection of 100 women by the monthly Dutch magazine OPZIJ.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams placed in the category "Politics", along with 9 other women, who together share the spotlight with 90 other women in 9 different categories.
The Prime Minister was informed of her placement by letter dated September 16th, from the Editor-in-Chief, Mrs Read more

Minister Lake says emergency road patchwork to be carried out before Christmas holidays.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says Windward Roads has won the public tender to carry out emergency road patchwork as phase one before the onset of the Christmas holidays.

Phase two will be carried out in the beginning of the New Year once the contractor returns from the holiday season.

Emergency road patchwork will be carried out on the main roads which have already been identified by Ministry VROMI officials from the infrastructure division of the ministry.

Work will also be carried out on Front and Back Street where bricks and tree mats are in a state of disrepair.

"With the holiday season coming up, and to ensure the safety of all, these emergency repairs will be carried out Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says the actions by a lone board member of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) to request the Governments Accountants Foundation known as SOAB to carry out a forensic investigation, and also into the purchase-to-pay process and remuneration process is premature.

"I was not aware of this process Read more

Lenny Preist Questions Impact Of Gas Price Reduction On Electricity Bills

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – According to all media reports, the international energy agency (IEA) has announced that oil prices have fallen to an all-time low with a barrel of crude oil going at the rate of U.S. $ 58.00 a barrel.

Governments and energy companies all over the world have passed on this savings to their consumers.

What will it take for St. Maarten government and NV GEBE to provide relief to the people in the form of a 40% to 50% reduction in the fuel clause on our electricity bills? afterall, our monthly electricity bill is made up of energy consumption and the fuel clause.

The fuel clause in most cases makes up approximately 60% of the monthly bill.

The people of St Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams Among Opzij 100 Most Powerful Women

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - For the second consecutive year, Prime Minister and Member of Parliament of St. Maarten, Sarah Wescot-Williams has placed amongst the Top 100 Powerful Women, an annual selection of 100 women by the monthly Dutch magazine OPZIJ.

Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams placed in the category "Politics", along with 9 other women, who together share the spotlight with 90 other women in 9 different categories.

The Prime Minister was informed of her placement by letter dated September 16th, from the Editor-in-Chief, Mrs Read more

Shta Acknowledges The Students Of The Nipa & Sundial Hospitality Sector

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, the largest business representative on the island, presented a certificate of appreciation to the students of the NIPA (National Institute for Professional Advancement) and Sundial Hospitality Sector for their outstanding services provided at the 9th Annual Crystal Pineapple Awards Gala Event.

The certificates were presented to Ms. Renata de Weever, Coordinator of the hospitality program at the NIPA and Wendall Moore, Service instructor of the Sundial School.

Each year, SHTA gives the students of the Sundial Hospitality Sector the opportunity to showcase their talents and gain practical experience beneficial to their future career in the industry Read more

De Weever severs ties with Democratic Party

PHILIPSBURG--New Member of Parliament (MP) Cornelius de Weever has severed ties with the Democratic Party (DP), under whose slate he contested the August 29 parliamentary elections and secured a seat.

De Weever said in a press statement issued by his Cabinet on Thursday that he had notified DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams that he “has now officially resigned from the party.” De Weever, who also functions as caretaker Minister of Health, Labour and Social Affairs, said he informed Wescot-Williams “that due to the manner in which she and/or the DP publicly tried to portray me in a negative light, I have decided to reconsider my future with the DP and hereby resign my affiliation with the Democratic Party.

“I campaigned as a new democrat with a new Democratic Party, but it is readily apparent to many that it is the same old political strategy of trying to shame and blame,” he said Read more

GEBE to give gov’t NAf. 5 million for 2014 budget

PHILIPSBURG--Utilities company GEBE will be giving government NAf. 5 million for the 2014 budget, which is facing a deficit.

This was decided during a meeting between the Council of Ministers and representatives of GEBE on Thursday. The meeting was convened to discuss GEBE’s contributions to government. The water and electricity company is owned by government, but managed by GEBE.

Representing GEBE at the meeting were Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors René Richardson and members Patrice Gumbs, Veronica Jansen-Webster and Edwin Gumbs, President of the Managing Board/Chief Operating Officer Romelio Maduro and Chief Financial Officer Rene Gartner Read more

China tells banks to step up lending

BEIJING/SHANGHAI--China has told its banks to lend more in the final months of 2014 and relaxed enforcement of loan-to-deposit ratios to expand credit, sources told Reuters, as Beijing prepares to release data that could confirm the relentless slowing of its economy.
  Figures on inflation, imports and fiscal spending in November have already undershot expectations since the People's Bank of China (PBOC) sprang a surprise interest rate cut on Nov. 21, raising fears that the bid to boost lending could foreshadow more weak figures on industrial activity for the month, due on Friday, and on lending, due in the next few days.
  "I wouldn't be surprised by that at all," said Andrew Polk, resident economist for the Conference Board in Beijing Read more

>GREAT BAY:--- Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius de Weever has notified the leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot-Williams that he has now officially resigned from the party.
Minister De Weever informed the leader that due to the manner in which she and/or the DP publicly tried to portray me in a negative light, I have decided to reconsider my future with the DP and hereby RESIGN my affiliation with the Democratic Party Read more

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- On Thursday, December 11, 2014, the Council of Ministers met with the representatives of N.V. GEBE to discuss the contributions of the Water Company to the Government of Sint Maarten. The Water Company is owned by the Government, but managed by N.V. GEBE.

At the meeting N.V. GEBE was represented by the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors Mr. René Richardson and its Members Mr. Patrice Gumbs, Mrs. Veronica Jansen-Webster and Mr Read more

>CAY BAY:--- They made it! As agreed on Wednesday December 10th the official opening ceremony of the Miss Lalie Center, the first Caribbean Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center, took place.
All people have been working so hard to make this possible, and they've succeeded. The Miss Lalie Center is good to go from this day. The building that's situated on Venus Drive in Cay Bay is totally prepared for the intake of a maximum of 20 boys between the ages of 12 to 18.
The official opening ceremony started off with a warm welcome to all the guests from Mrs Read more

Public Invited to Open House at Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The general public is invited to an Open House at the Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center (MLC) in Cape Bay on Saturday, December 13.

The Miss Lalie Center was opened on December 10th. The youth care and rehabilitation center is located at Venus Drive #1, Cape Bay.

The Miss Lalie Center is located behind the industrial laundromat on the main road leading to the NV GEBE Power Plant. After making a right at the intersection of Afoo Daily Extra Supermarket in Cole Bay to head into Cape Bay; continue driving until you approach the industrial laundromat on your left; take a left and the center is right behind the laundromat.

Members of the public will be given a tour of the facility and will have the opportunity to meet the staff and also receive information about the center Read more

Minister Lake Says Emergency Road Patchwork To Be Carried Out Before Christmas Holidays

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says Windward Roads has won the public tender to carry out emergency road patchwork as phase one before the onset of the Christmas holidays.

Phase two will be carried out in the beginning of the New Year once the contractor returns from the holiday season.

Emergency road patchwork will be carried out on the main roads which have already been identified by Ministry VROMI officials from the infrastructure division of the ministry.

Work will also be carried out on Front and Back Street where bricks and tree mats are in a state of disrepair.

"With the holiday season coming up, and to ensure the safety of all, these emergency repairs will be carried out.

The country will see visitors and family and friends arriving for the holiday season and we need to ensure that the infrastructure is in good order, hence the emergency actions that are required to be taken." Minister Hon Read more

Minister Of Culture Lourens-Philip Invites Public To Sunday Christmas Celebration

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip is inviting the public to come out on Sunday December 14, 2014 at 4:00 pm where the streets of Philipsburg will come alive with sounds of music, laughter, joy, hope and good will to all mankind.

At center of the parade is compassion and joyfulness- what Christmas means to each of us Read more

Public Invited To Open House At Miss Lalie Youth Care And Rehabilitation Center On Saturday

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The general public is invited to an Open House at the Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center (MLC) in Cape Bay on Saturday, December 13.

The Miss Lalie Center was opened on December 10th. The youth care and rehabilitation center is located at Venus Drive #1, Cape Bay.

The Miss Lalie Center is located behind the industrial laundromat on the main road leading to the NV GEBE Power Plant. After making a right at the intersection of Afoo Daily Extra Supermarket in Cole Bay to head into Cape Bay; continue driving until you approach the industrial laundromat on your left; take a left and the center is right behind the laundromat.

Members of the public will be given a tour of the facility and will have the opportunity to meet the staff and also receive information about the center Read more

Com Meets With Nv Gebe

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Thursday, December 11, 2014, the Council of Ministers met with the representatives of N.V. GEBE to discuss the contributions of the Water Company to the Government of Sint Maarten.

The Water Company is owned by the Government, but managed by N.V. GEBE.

At the meeting N.V. GEBE was represented by the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors Mr. René Richardson and its Members Mr. Patrice Gumbs, Mrs. Veronica Jansen-Webster and Mr Read more

Minister De Weever Resigns From The Democratic Party

GREAT BAY, St. Martin - Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius de Weever has notified the leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot-Williams that he has now officially resigned from the party.

Minister De Weever informed the leader that due to the manner in which she and/or the DP publicly tried to portray me in a negative light, I have decided to reconsider my future with the DP and hereby RESIGN my affiliation with the Democratic Party.

I campaigned as a New Democrat with a "new" Democratic Party but it is readily apparent to many that it is the same old political strategy of trying to shame and blame.

Minister De Weever further stated that he expected an internal "issue" to be handled internally, professionally and avoid giving others more ammunition against St Read more

Opening Ceremony Miss Lalie Center

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - They made it! As agreed on Wednesday December 10th the official opening ceremony of the Miss Lalie Center, the first Caribbean Youth Care and Rehabilitation Center, took place.

All people have been working so hard to make this possible, and they've succeeded.

The Miss Lalie Center is good to go from this day. The building that's situated on Venus Drive in Cay Bay is totally prepared for the intake of a maximum of 20 boys between the ages of 12 to 18.

The official opening ceremony started off with a warm welcome to all the guests from Mrs Read more