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Getting Ready For This YearS Big Live Nature Quiz Kids Edition

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — DCNA is preparing to host this years Big Live Nature Quiz (BLNQ) Kids edition. This online nature trivia game is open to all students in primary school in grades 5 and 6 (group 7 and 8 in the Dutch school system) in the Dutch Caribbean. The BLNQ is created to teach students about nature in a fun and interactive way, to instill pride in the islands wildlife, support nature-friendly practices, support the projects of the nature parks, and to bring kids of the Dutch Caribbean into contact with each other.

On Thursday, 2nd November 2023, from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM (AST), the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) will host the Big Live Nature Quiz-Kids Edition, an engaging and educational event for primary school students in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten.

Event Details

The Big Live Nature Quiz- kids edition is a live online nature trivia game hosted by DCNA and played in primary schools across the Dutch Caribbean.The quiz is a true multi-island team effort: created and supported by the six Dutch Caribbean islands including the nature conservation organizations (parks), primary schools, Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and Dutch Caribbean TV Read more

PHILIPSBURG;--- In a remarkable display of accountability and transparency, the Honorable Omar Ottley, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), fulfilled his commitment on Tuesday by responding to a comprehensive list of 116 questions posed by civil servants represented by their unions just last week. This open and constructive dialogue marks a significant step in implementing the eagerly awaited SAAHA "Ottley Care."

On Tuesday, Minister Omar Ottley met with the union representatives from the Windward Island Civil Servants Union (WICSU) and submitted via email the answers to the Committee of Civil Servants Union (CCSU) Read more

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BONAIRE:--- DCNA is preparing to host this years Big Live Nature Quiz (BLNQ) Kids edition. This online nature trivia game is open to all students in primary school in grades 5 and 6 (group 7 and 8 in the Dutch school system) in the Dutch Caribbean. The BLNQ is created to teach students about nature in a fun and interactive way, to instill pride in the islands wildlife, support nature-friendly practices, support the projects of the nature parks, and to bring kids of the Dutch Caribbean into contact with each other Read more

The National Alliance Extends A Warm Invitation To The St. Peters Community At The Rupart Maynard Community Center.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance is excited to announce its upcoming presence in the Rupert Maynard community center. In St. Peters, demonstrate our commitment to connecting with the residents and addressing their concerns. We value the enduring support we've received from the St. Peters community and look forward to strengthening this bond during our visit.

Starting on Monday, October 16th, 2023, and continuing through Tuesday, October 17th, and Wednesday, October 18th, Party Officials, Candidates, and Government representatives will embark on a listening tour in St Read more

Sarah Calls On Ottley To Amend The Current Sickness Insurance Law Of The Szv To Include Vendors, Taxi And Bus Drivers And Sole Proprietors.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The call was made during a recent public meeting of parliament requested by members of parliament Wescot-Williams, Heyliger-Marten, and Emmanuel in the presence of Minister Ottley, who was asked about the national health insurance that was touted to be introduced on January 1, 2024.

It is during that meeting we learned that the national health insurance will not go into effect per January 1, 2024, as previously announced by the minister, but most other questions regarding the implementation of the general health insurance were not answered Read more

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PHILIPSBURG--In a touching tribute to the "backbone of our educational system," United People's Party (UPP) Candidate and Policy Advisor in the Cabinet of the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication Kevin Maingrette marked World Teachers Day with a heartwarming gesture of gratitude towards the educators of Leonard Conner Elementary School Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force announces that three of its officers are set to depart the island to undergo specialized training in Miami-Dade. These officers, in collaboration with counterparts from Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, will participate in a two-week training course to become certified "Driving Instructors." The purpose of this training is to equip these officers with advanced skills, enabling them to subsequently train our first responders effectively.

The Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna Richardson, extends heartfelt congratulations to these officers as they prepare to embark on this important training endeavor Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament and Leader of the United People's Party (UP), Rolando Brison, delivered a compelling address in Parliament today, shedding light on the pressing concerns surrounding the operations of GEBE, the utility company Read more

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Climate Scenarios And A Climate Impact Atlas For Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, And Saba.

BONAIRE:--- The (Dutch) Caribbean islands are facing unprecedented challenges posed by climate change, including rising sea levels, intensifying hurricanes, heat waves, and heavy rainfall. In response to these threats, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has published climate scenarios for the BES islands. In addition, a collaborative effort is underway to develop a Climate Impact Atlas for the BES islands, providing a crucial foundation for informed decision-making and sustainable development Read more

Xtratight Entertainment Presents Calypso Lounge: A Night Of Kasio And Comedy.

Madame Estate Get ready for an unforgettable night of rhythm, laughter, and pure entertainment as Xtratight Entertainment proudly presents the highly anticipated Calypso Lounge, an event dedicated to celebrating the vibrant fusion of Kasio and Comedy. This one-of- a-kind extravaganza is set to take place on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, from 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM, at the prestigious Aleeze Convention Center.

Prepare yourselves for an evening filled with side-splitting laughter and soul-stirring music, featuring an exceptional lineup of entertainers Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Board of the National Alliance (NA) Political Party expresses dismay and disbelief at the current wave of rhetoric and negativity that has permeated our society, particularly on social media platforms, in recent weeks, the NA said in a press statement on Monday.
Of particular concern are the relentless verbal attacks aimed at members of our society, specifically women Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- After 3 months of rigorous training the second cohort of the Womens Basic Self-Defense Training came to an end on Thursday, October 05 at the Aziana Restaurant, Bobbys Marina. The celebrants enjoyed a relaxed and fulfilled evening in the presence of the Minister of VSA Hon. Omar Ottley, and the Dept. Head of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs/Womens Desk Chantale George-Groeneveldt Read more

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HARBOR VIEW:--- The Social Economic Council (SER) will host a symposium on Thursday afternoon, October 12th, 2023 at the Belair Community Center. The theme of the symposium is Protect and Preserve Our Paradise, Sint Maartens Ecological Treasures Unveiled. With this symposium, the SER has chosen to focus on the social and environmental impact and well-being of the community. The event will commence at 1 pm and conclude at 5.15 pm.

The SER is honored to present various expert speakers on the subject matter Read more

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PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):---  The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (MECYS) Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, released his message on the occasion of World Teachers Day 2023.
World Teachers Day is held annually on 5 October to celebrate all teachers around the globe. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education Read more

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Opposition Members Want A Public Meeting On Gebe And On The Proposed National Health Insurance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of Parliament Wescot-Williams, Heyliger-Marten, and Emmanuel want parliament to urgently meet on GEBE and the National Health Insurance proposal, which is in the pipeline.
In their letter regarding GEBE, the MPs state that the public concerns regarding GEBE continue unabated and that government responses have been few and contradictory.
Issues mentioned in the letter of the opposition members are:
The status of data recovery
Billing
Outages and load-shedding
Financial viability of the company

We are trying every which way to get the attention of the government for the plight of the people, but we are being stonewalled at every turn, MP Wescot explained Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) Sint Maarten welcomes Margot Mesnard as Program Manager for the foundation. Ms. Mesnard served as Project Coordinator for EPICs recent pelican conservation project and has specialized in project management around ecosystem restoration and climate change-related projects, with 15 years of experience working in the Caribbean and Small Island States. Locally, she has worked with RESEMBID, Waste2Work, and serves on the Scientific Committee of the LIFE BiodivOm Project for St Read more

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Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School Leads The Way With Soualichi Stories

Philipsburg, St. Maarten Imagine a classroom where history comes to life, where lessons are woven into captivating tales, and where students eagerly embrace the art of storytelling. Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School has embarked on a journey that promises just thata journey powered by Soualichi Stories, where the age-old magic of storytelling meets modern education techniques.

Over 30 members of the school’s staff participated in a training workshop aimed at utilizing Soualichi Stories within their curriculum, thus starting an interesting chapter in enhancing education techniques using old-time storytelling.

In the wake of the Season Three launch of Soualichi Stories, Foresee Foundation and the team of Soualichi Stories have set out to make the island’s rich oral heritage an integral part of the local educational system.

The aim? To spark inspiration, cultivate imagination, and encourage meaningful dialogue among students Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The First Annual Roberto Celestino Arrindell Domino Tournament was successfully organized on Sunday, October 1st by Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin, President of It's Time St. Maarten Foundation, along with Chantal Simmons-Bryan, the Lead Tournament Organizer.

With hundreds in attendance, the Tournament gathered top Domino players and teams from throughout North and South of St. Martin. These highly-spirited players, along with fully engaged onlookers filled the Tropicana Casino Ballroom with enthusiasm Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- What if I told you - that I am not the only guilty one?" asks 11-year-old actor Venndy Isaac in the new film What If I Told You?

Over the weekend, on Caribbean Youth Day, fifty students, ages 6 to 14, celebrated the premiere of the short film 'What If I Told You?' with their teachers, parents, supporters, and dignitaries. The film, written by teacher Rosan Hartley Gayle and acted by students of the MAC John A. Gumbs Campus (MAC JAG), touches on the importance of the support of parents, teachers, and the wider community in a child's development.

The script was first performed by students, including lead character Venndy, at a Spoken Word Competition at the Mens Mental Health Awareness event in May Read more

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DATE ISSUED: Sunday, October 01, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Monday midday (12:00 LST) October 02, 2023

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

WEATHER: 

This afternoon through Monday midday: Partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers.

Forecast High: 34 C / 93F             Forecast Low: 27C / 81 F

Sunset Today: 6:01 P.M Read more

THE HAGUE:--- Alexandra van Huffelen, the State Secretary for Kingdom Relations, will pay a working visit to St. Maarten, Curaao and Bonaire from the 30th of September to the 5th of October. The visit will be made primarily in the context of the Slavery Past Memorial Year. In St. Maarten, she will take part in a Catshuis session with representatives from all six islands, while she will visit Curaao to attend Tulas rehabilitation. In addition, the State Secretary will hold administrative talks about the laws regulating the administrative and financial relations between the European Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands, the WoIBES, and FinBES.

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Bird Expert Shanna Challenger Shares Conservation Formula At Saba Bird Fest

Conservation biologist and bird expert Shanna Challenger (right) gave a presentation on Thursday evening as part of the first-ever Saba Bird Fest.

SABA--Conservation biologist and bird expert Shanna Challengers presentation during the first-ever Saba Bird Fest on Thursday evening raised awareness of the power of locally-led conservation actions.

Challenger, who is the Offshore Islands Conservation Programme Coordinator at Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) of Antigua and Barbuda, shared how the organisations conservation work was able to restore Redonda, the small island which lies about 56 kilometres southwest of Antigua, between the islands Nevis and Montserrat.

In 2008, Redonda was deforested, eroded, and collapsing into the sea as a result of past human activity, when the island was used for guano mining during World War I, yielding up to 7,000 tonnes annually Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, September 20th, 2023, the Sint Maarten Task Force of the Dutch armed forces in the Caribbean, consisting of fourteen (14) executives, visited the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention for an introductory meeting with the Prison director, Mr. Steven Carty and the Prison Management Team.

The Sint Maarten Taskforce, which provides assistance to Sint Maarten when struck by a disaster such as a hurricane, is currently in Sint Maarten as part of their annual visits to the Caribbean.

Earlier this year, the Prison Director, Mr Read more

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Ennia Case Teaches: Structural Problems Require Structural Solutions

WILLEMSTAD (Source:Curacao Chronicle) – The issues surrounding Ennia, which concern both Curaao and the Netherlands, have sparked discussions and considerations about potential solutions and their consequences. According to econometricians Servaas Houben and Ronald Ketellapper, the main problem lies in the inadequate provisions and low capital buffers of Ennia Leven, resulting in the acute danger of pensions for approximately 30,000 residents of Curaao shrinking to twenty percent if the troubled insurer is not assisted with a substantial capital injection Read more