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Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin Captivates Audience With Talent, Culture, Wins Junior Carnival Crown

2026 Junior Carnival Queen Xanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin (second left) flanked by second runner up YSheyda Madramootoo (left), MP Sjamira Roseburg (third left), first runner-up Kayla Fontenelle (fourth left) and Kyrie Fleming, who placed third (right).

MADAME ESTATE--The St. Maarten Junior Carnival Pageant 2026 reached a thrilling climax on Saturday, March 28, asXanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin was crowned Junior Carnival Queen, earning 845 points and standing out in a field of talented young contestants at the Aleeze Convention Center.

The packed audience witnessed a showcase of creativity, culture, and youthful excellence, as Xoeys performances left a lasting impression on judges and spectators alike.

The competition concluded with Xoey winning the crown as well as Miss Amity, Miss Popularity, Best Speech, Best Talent and Best Carnival Costume Read more

Mp York: The Time For Gebe Relief Is Now

NA MP Darryl York.

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Darryl York says the time for the population to receive the promised GEBE relief is now Read more

OmS Handling Of Crypto Evidence Questioned As Brison Explains Otc Trading During Trial

 By Jacqueline Hooftman

PHILIPSBURG--The judge tasked with determining whether former Member of Parliament Rolando Brison received dollar transfers as payment for cryptocurrency or whether the funds were direct payments intended to bribe him admitted on Monday that he is not an expert on cryptocurrency. You know much more abo Read more

ReceiverS Office Closed After Break-In, Cash Stolen

POND ISLAND-- The Receivers Office on Soualiga Road is currently closed after a break-in in which an unknown amount of money was stolen, according to the Police Force of Sint Maarten KPSM, which has launched an investigation into the incident.

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Ocean View Academy Students Learn Real-World Science At Btp

Sidney de Weever giving an explanation to students

INDIGO BAY--Ocean View Academy students gained practical insight into science and technology during a recent educational visit to the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post (BTP) in Philipsburg as part of Science Week 2026.

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Defence: Robbie Dos Santos Dragged By The Hair Into Lissabon Investigation

Robbie Dos Santos (Photo courtesy Antilliaans Dagblad).

By Jacqueline Hooftman

PHILIPSBURG--Businessman Robbie Dos Santos was effectively dragged by the hair into the Lissabon investigation, his attorneys Niels van der Laan and Olga Kostrzewski argued in court this week, questioning both the origins of the case against him and the strength of the evidence presented by prosecutors.

On Tuesday, defence lawyer Van der Laan delivered an extensive plea requesting the full acquittal of Dos Santos Read more

Brug: Health Mission To Colombia Opens Door To Directly Recruit Qualified Doctors

Health Minister Richinel Brug (third left), representatives of SMMC and SZV with Colombian health officials.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richinel Brug says a recent health mission to Colombia has opened opportunities to recruit more permanent doctors for St Maarten, addressing concerns from patients about the frequent rotation of physicians on the island.

Brug reported on the official mission, which took place from March 48, 2026, and included a delegation from Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), Social and Health Insurances SZV, and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Read more

Local, Surinamese Prison Guards Sworn In To Strengthen Operations

Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling and Prison Director Steven Carty pose with the sworn in correctional officers.

PHILIPSBURG--A group of local correctional officers and fourteen officers from Suriname were officially sworn in on Friday, in a move the Ministry of Justice says will help strengthen operational capacity at Point Blanche Prison.

During the ceremony, Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling acknowledged that the swearing-in of several local officers had been delayed and offered an apology on behalf of the Ministry for the time it took to complete the process Read more

Ursm Board Members Attend Corporate Governance Training

URSM board members participated in corporate governance training.

PHILIPSBURG--Several board members of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) recently participat Read more

Up Mp Lacroes Urges Govt To Review Model Law For Marine-Coastal Tourism

MP Francisco Lacroes.

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes on Wednesday urged the government to examine the Model Law on Sustainable Marine-Coastal Community Tourism when preparing zoning and conservation policies.

He said coastal territories remain undervalued and insufficiently protected in many cases Read more

Women Mps Back Victim Support Services Efforts To Close Legal Gaps For Abuse Survivors

From left: MPs Ludmilla de Weever, Veronica Jansen-Webster, Director of Victims Support Services, Cassandra Richardson, MP Sjamira Roseburg and Chairlady of Parliament, MP Read more

Minister Of Finance Launches Transformation Tax Admin Prog.

Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs (second left) with other officials at the launch.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs has launched the Transformation Tax Administration (TTA) Programme, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, calling it a decisive and necessary step toward modernising our systems, strengthening public trust, and safeguarding St Read more

Minister Brug: Local Workers First In Reconstruction Projects

VSA Minister Richinel Brug.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA, Richinel Brug, says local workers and businesses must be given first priority in reconstruction and development projects on St Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 4th February 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 5th February 2026  WEATHER:  This afternoon  through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy with scattered showers. Forecast High:29C / 84F            Forecast Low:24C / 75F Sunset Today:6:09 P.M.                              Sunrise Tomorrow:6:44 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeasterly to southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze at 5 to 11 mph. SYNOPSIS:   An approaching low level trough and moisture associated with a recent frontal boundary, will cause showers across the region, particularly during the latter part of this forecast period Read more

Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell Featured In Diplomat Magazine

Featured article in Diplomat Magazine

THE HAGUE--The Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of St Maarten was featured in the December 2025 edition of Diplomat Magazine, represented by Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell, who appeared in the publications Diplomat VIP section.

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Ministers Back Legal Aid For Patients Under Involuntary Mental Health Care

Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling (left) and VSA Minister Richinel Brug holding the Memorandum of Understanding signed in support of mental health patients rights.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling and Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, 20 January 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 21 January 2026A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F              
Forecast Low: 25C / 77FSunset Today: 6:00 P.M.                  
Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Easterly with a moderate to fresh breeze at 14 to 22 mph, and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Persistent pockets of moisture moving across the region will cause periodic, brief showers Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, 19 January 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 20 January 2026A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICEWEATHER:This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F              
Forecast Low: 25C / 77FSunset Today: 6:00 P.M.                  
Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Easterly with a gentle to fresh breeze at 10 to 20 mph, and occasional higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Pockets of moisture moving across the local region will cause periodic, brief showers Read more

Usm Faculty Align Priorities For Spring 2026 Semester

Some members of USM's faculty.

POND ISLAND--The University of St. Martin (USM) recently held a faculty meeting for its degree programmes ahead of the opening of the Spring 2026 Semester, bringing together academic staff to align priorities, share updates, and prepare for the sem Read more

Ageless Seniors Shine At Radiance SeniorS Beauty Elegant Pageant

GRAND CASE--Saturday evening, December 20, 2025, marked a historic moment for Saint-Martin with the inaugural edition of the Miss Radiance Seniors Elegant Beauty Pageant organised by the Saint-Martin Autrement association.

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Ser Submits Advice On Misuse Of Short-Term Labour Contracts

VSA Minister Richinel Brug (left) and SER Policy Advisor Jamie Mourillon.

PHILIPSBURG--The Social Economic Council SER on December 19, 2025, submitted its advice on the draft national ordinance amending Book 7, Title 10 of the Civil Code to Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Read more

Government Honours St. Maarten-Born Pilot Tejwani At Inaugural Flight To St. Maarten

TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten presenting a recognition to St. Maarten-born pilot Piyush Tejwani on Tuesday.

AIRPORT--St. Maarten-born pilot Piyush Tejwani was recognised on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, during a celebratory welcome water salute at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) following his inaugural flight to the island as a commercial airline pilot.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten was present for the event, along with Member of Parliament (MP) Viren Kotai, PJIA officials, two St Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 30th December 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 31st December 2025WEATHER:
This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Generally fair.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 23C / 73FSunset Today: 5:47 P.M.                    Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:44 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Easterly to east-southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze at 4 to 12 mph.SYNOPSIS: A dry and stable atmosphere will maintain fair weather conditions.Meanwhile, a light to gentle breeze will prevail.Long period northerly swells will persist for the next few days Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 29th December 2025 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 30th December 2025

WEATHER:
This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Generally fair.

Forecast High: 30C / 86F       Forecast Low: 22C / 72F

Sunset Today: 5:47 P.M.             Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:43 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS:
This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeast to east-southeast, with a variable to gentle breeze, at 2 to 12 mph.

SYNOPSIS:
A dry and stable atmosphere will maintain fair weather conditions Read more