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Minister Plenipotentiary At Opening Exhibition 70 Years Statute

THE NETHERLANDS, THE HAGUE Tuesday, 17 December, the exhibition ‘The Kingdom of the Netherlands: Connected in Diversity” was opened on the premises of the Second Chamber in The Hague by the Chairman of the Chamber, Mr. Martin Bosman. St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell and Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao Carlton Emanuel were among the invitees.

The initiative celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Statute for the Kingdom of the Netherlands that still regulates the relationship between the constituent parts of the Kingdom, now consisting of the Netherlands and autonomous countries Curacao, Aruba and St Read more

The Wait Is Over: Pool Draw Results Announced For Business Hoops Sxm 2025!

PHILIPSBURG The stage is set, and the pools are locked in for Business Hoops SXM 2025, the premier business basketball competition scheduled to take place from January 26th to February 2nd, 2025 at the Great Bay Sports Auditorium.

Basketball enthusiasts, brace yourselves for the ultimate showdown as business teams take the court. The highly anticipated pool draw took place on Monday, December 9, 2024, determining the matchups and setting the stage for intense competition.

Assigned to Pool 1, Pool 2, and Pool 3, the race to the top begins now! Only the top two teams from each pool will advance to the semi-finals, leading to the ultimate battle for the championship Read more

Pond Island, Philipsburg The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) has made history with its first-ever participation in the thrilling “Beat the Marines” challenge. The event brought together 15 teams to showcase endurance, teamwork, and resilience. The Honorable Minister of VSA, Mr. Richinel Brug and the Ministrys team proudly represented its commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle, fostering team spirit and perseverance.

The team, consisting of Minister Brug alongside team captain Sharilyn Bryson, Jamie Mourilion, Cheyenne Gumbs, Shobhan Giterson, Michael Sommersal, and Herbert Martina, successfully tackled the demanding obstacle course Read more

Ser Sint Maarten Pays A Visit To Ser Netherlands And Provides Updates On Pending Advice.

THE HAGUE— On December 6, 2024, a delegation led by Harlec Doran, Chairman of the Social Economic Council (SER) of Sint Maarten, made an introductory visit to the SER in The Hague. The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Kim Putters, Chairman of the SER of the Netherlands. This meeting marked another significant step toward reestablishing the close collaboration between the two advisory bodies, originally initiated in 2012 by Ren A Read more

Collectivit Signs Agreement With Cerema For Planning And Support

Site visit at former Le Beach Hotel, Marigot, with CEREMA and Collectivit officials.

MARIGOT--Collectivit President Louis Mussington and National Director of CEREMA, Pascal Bertaud, signed a framework agreement on Monday relating to regional planning and support that CEREMA will bring to several projects.

Read more

Concerns Over GreenpeaceS Actions In Bonaire

Subject: Concerns Over Greenpeace’s Actions in Bonaire

In commemoration with the United Nations International Human Rights Day, the Bonaire Human Rights Organization makes the following declaration:

We are writing to express deep concern over the recent activities of Greenpeace in Bonaire, particularly regarding their targeting of our vulnerable local population. Greenpeace has been operating for just a few years on Bonaire that raises serious questions about their intentions and methods Read more

Ministry Of Vromi Secures 1.9Million For StormwaterInfrastructure And Pumps

PHILIPSBURG The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) is pleased to announce that it has successfully secured a 1.9 million subsidy from the Dutch Government. This funding represents a crucial step in addressing key operational and infrastructure challenges within the Ministry and underscores the ongoing partnership between our Government and the Netherlands.

Following a formal request submitted by the Ministry between June and August this year, the funds were transferred to the Government’s accounts Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 9th December 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 10th December 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy. Brief, isolated showers are possible.Forecast High: 31C / 88F                Forecast Low:  27C / 81FSunset Today: 5:37 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:33 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Easterly to northeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 05 to 14 mph.SYNOPSIS: Expect fair to partly conditions this forecast period, as a relatively stable air mass will remain over the area and suppress precipitation.Seas will remain slight to moderate during the next few days.STATE OF THE SEA: Slight to moderate       WAVES/SWELLS: 4 to 6 feetSPECIAL FEATURE: None.OUTLOOK through Wednesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy and breezy Read more

Mp Lacroes Slams Mercelina Over 'Silence' On Govt. Building Mould

PHILIPSBURG--United People's Party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes has launched what he referred to as a scathing critique of what he says is Prime Minister Dr. Read more

Government, Unicef Jointly Launch Positive Parenting Support Program

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina (above, back row, third right), Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Melissa Gumbs (above, centre right), Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams (above, back row, centre right), several government officials and civil servants, programme stakeholders, community leaders and parenting advocates came together on Friday in support of the Positive Parenting Support Program Read more

Major Houtenbos New Commander Of The Marine Detachment Of Sint Maarten

Major of the Marines Niels Houtenbos (left) and Major of the Marines Arie Noordam (right).

POINT BLANCHE Major of the Marines Niels Houtenbos took over command of the Marine Detachment on Sint Maarten on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

He took over command from Major of the Marines Arie Noordam. This happened during a ceremonial meeting on board HNLMS Holland.

Several dignitaries were present during the ceremony, including the Governor of Sint Maarten, Mr. Ajamu Baly, President of Parliament Sarah A Read more

Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Celebrates Its 20Th Anniversary With A Grand Gala

Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club (SCTMC) proudly Celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday November 23, 2024, at the Paradise Hall. Among the guests were the keynote speaker, the founding members and First president the Honorable President of Parliament Sarah A, Wescot Williams, past presidents and members of the Club.

Celebrating milestones is one way that Toastmasters reflect on the progress made over the years and as well as consider opportunities for the future.

As our Keynote Speaker, the President of Parliament said that it is an incredible honor to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our beloved Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club! Two decades have passed since we first came together with a visionto cultivate communication, leadership, and personal growth in a supportive community.

Speech by MP Sarah Wescot-Williams on the 20th anniversary of the Soualiga Corporate TM Club.

As the founder of this club, she remembers our initial meetings filled with excitement and a hint of uncertainty Read more

Cbcs Reduces Both Reserve Requirement Percentage And Pledging Rate

Influenced by domestic and global financial market developments

Willemstad / Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has decided to reduce its reserve requirement by 0.50 percentage point to 18.50% while the pledging rate was lowered further from 5.25% to 4.75%. The decision to adjust monetary policy is anchored by the normalization of economic and monetary conditions across the union. This easing of monetary policy is supported by a solid and stable foreign exchange position and adequate import coverage in the monetary union Read more

Plenipotentiary Minister Arrindell Opens Job Fair

Plenipotentiary Minister Gracita Arrindell delivering the opening address on November 28.

 THE HAGUE--Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell on Thursday last opened the Working in the Caribbean 2024 job fair aimed at showcasing St Read more

Claret Connor delivering his address.

CAY HILL--St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA) hosted a membership mixer at LEsperance Hotel in Cay Hill on Wednesday, November 20.

Under the theme Power in Unity the event emphasised the importance of collaboration among small property owners and showcased strategies for growth and sustainability in the local tourism industry.

The highlight of the evening was a keynote address delivered by National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) Director Claret Connor, who provided actionable suggestions aimed at strengthening the associations collective impact Read more

Lions Club To Host Its Annual Christmas Bingo Spectacular

Lion Wally Havertong calling the bingo balls at last years Lions-held Christmas Bingo.

 PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Lions Club is gearing up to host the highly anticipated Annual Lion Wally Havertong Christmas Bingo Spectacular. This years event will take place on Saturday, December 14, at the Aleeze Convention Center in Madame Estate. Doors open at 7:00pm, with the bingo games starting promptly at 8:00pm.

Lion Ketty Paines, Fundraising Chairperson for Sint Maarten Lions Club, confirmed that preparations are in their final stages Read more

Beatrix Spots Birds, Visits Mullet Pond And Little Key

Princess Beatrix witnesses the signing of a letter of intent by VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs and Nature Foundation Director Leslie Hickerson to establish legislation that would designate Little Key Island as a protected area. Afterwards, attendees raised their glasses to commemorate the occasion.

 

~ Letter of intent for terrestrial protection signed ~

PHILIPSBURG--On the second day of her official visit, Princess Beatrix visited the Great Salt Pond Birding Platform and explored Simpson Bay, Mullet Pond and Little Key on a boat, highlighting the importance of environmental awareness and coastal protection.

The princess kicked off the second day of her official visit as patroness of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) at the Great Salt Pond Birding Platform, where she spotted birds with Cornelis Binkie van Es, avid birding guide and Chairman of St Read more

French Ambassador At The Hague St. Maarten Day Celebration

THE NETHERLANDS, THE HAGUE St. Maarten/St. Martin Day was celebrated in the Netherlands on Monday with a reception at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of St. Maarten in The Hague. Guests included the French Ambassador to the Netherlands His Excellency Mr.FranoisAlabrune, his colleague from Germany His Excellency Dr. Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, the Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba His Excellency Mr Read more

French Ambassador At Celebration Of St. Maarten Day In The Hague

St. Maarten Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell (centre) flanked by Ambassador of Germany Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut (left) and Ambassador of France Franois Alabrune.

 

THE HAGUE--St. Maarten/St. Martin Day was celebrated in the Netherlands on Monday with a reception at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of St Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 30th October 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 31st October 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy and breezy with isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.Forecast High: 32C / 90F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 5:41 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:12 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph.SYNOPSIS: Increased instability due to an upper level trough will cause isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms Read more

Vromi To Sell M/V Island Scout (Imo Number: 9215220)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) announced during Wednesdays press briefing its intention to sell the Island Scout (IMO number 9215220). Under Article 13, Section 1 of the Landsverordening houdende maatregelen tot opruiming van schepen en wrakken in zee en op het zeestrand (National Ordinance containing measures for the removal of ships and wrecks at sea and on the sea beach)

The Island Scout is a 69-meter-long tug/supply ship that was beached and successfully salvaged, with efforts from both the Ministry of VROMI and TEATT following the passing of Tropical Storm, later Hurricane, Ernesto Read more

St. Maarten 37Ers Youth Baseball Team Shines In Opening Game At Aruba Tournament

Aruba The St. Maarten 37ers U10 baseball team has kicked off their campaign in Aruba with an impressive 7-2 victory over the Aruba Stars on Monday. Competing at the Xander Bogaerts Baseball Field, the young athletes delivered a standout performance in their first game of the annual Baseball in Paradise tournament.

The games winning pitcher, Kris-Anthony Williams, led the charge on the mound. A highlight moment came from Jadiel Williams, who smashed a pivotal three-run home run, sealing the win for the 37ers and setting the tone for the teams strong start.

“Were really proud of how the boys performed in their opening game Read more

Night time view of Dock Maarten filled with mega yachts. (Edward Penagos photo)

By Robert Luckock

PHILIPSBURG--The construction of Dock Maarten in Great Bay is nothing new. Its evolvement has been progressing steadily in different phases over the years, mostly unseen from the general public. While not fully completed in other areas on shore, the marina itself has now reached its zenith, poised to welcome to its newest slips some of the largest mega-yachts in the world for the 2024/25 season.

As of this writing, the marina is fully booked Read more

Praise For St. Maarten Project At Oranje Fonds Event

THE NETHERLANDS — The Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, supported the Sint Maarten finalists for the ‘Apples of Orange’ awards of the Oranje Fonds at the prize giving ceremony in The Hague. The Apples of Orange are a kingdom-wide annual award recognizing and rewarding three initiatives that successfully connect different groups, or that contribute to people being able to participate in society again.

The ‘Adopt a Grandparent Experience (AGE)’ project of Sint Maarten’s Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation was one of ten finalists out of a total of 212 entries Read more