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~Increase in the interest rates, if conditions are not met, is exacerbating the already precarious situation of the countries and AGAINST our development.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- In assessing where we are financially and economically, the DP leader did not mince any words when she first directed her view to the Dutch government: Even though they are in a caretakers state, I continue to remind the Dutch government of their responsibility to assist in our countrys sustainable growth Read more

United People's Party Extends Gratitude For Successful 2023 Convention, Recognizes Outstanding Contributions.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United People's Party (UP Party) has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the general public and the more than seven hundred attendees who made the UP Party's 2023 Convention an unparalleled success. Held on Sunday, August 13, at the esteemed Aleeze Convention Center, the event was a remarkable display of unity, strength, and meticulous organization.
Distinguished by an impressive parade, the convention saw the dynamic leadership duo of Member of Parliament, the Honorable Rolando Brison, securing his reelection as the UP Party leader, and Minister Omar Ottley officially being elected as the Deputy Leader Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- This Saturday, August 12, 2023, Ms. Tefari Prevoo Francisco, returned from a five-week summer intensive music program at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. She successfully completed this preliminary course to the Bachelor program and received a glowing introductory letter from Mr. Witness Matlou, a South African Jazz Pianist and a music theory professor at Berklee. Ms. Tefari Prevoo Franciscos participation in the course was made possible through assistance by the Division of Study Financing, the Department of Culture, and the Cabinet of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (MECYS) Read more

Napb President Lending Support To Customs Workers.

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the NAPB, Rogerrel Mauricia, has responded to a recent article circulating on social media and in newspapers in Sint-Maarten. The article highlights the concerns raised by customs officers regarding their working conditions and salaries. The president of NAPB Sint-Maarten was also contacted by his counterpart from Curacaos union S.T.R.A.F.F., which represents customs officers and police when the news broke.

During the meetings held by NAPB Sint-Maarten in early August 2023, this union leader visited the customs office and observed that the current structure of the customs department is problematic, potentially leading to issues Read more

Customs Officers Are Calling On The Minister Of Justice To Address Their Concerns.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Customs workers on St. Maarten have reached their limit and have made a public call to the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson to address their concerns as well as their working conditions.
The Customs officers that reached out to SMN News said they held a meeting with the Minister of Justice and the ABVO union where they expressed their grievances but to date, the Minister has not taken any action to resolve the issues and she did not reach out to them.
The customs officers claim in a letter said they need working dogs since the trained working dogs play a vital role in detecting contraband while safeguarding the countrys borders Read more

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~ The UPP was not formed to benefit one individual or their families Franklyn Meyers.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Despite the infighting and political backstabbing, the United Peoples Party led by Rolando Brison is back as their supporters showed up in large numbers showing their support for the new and reformed UPP the green machine.
On Sunday evening persons within the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, drs. Rodolphe Samuel extends heartfelt condolences to the community of St. Maarten, friends, and family of the late Roberto Celestino Arrindell.

It is safe to say that the community of Sint Maarten has lost a community advocate, educator, and cultural icon that exemplifies what it means to be a true St Read more

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Policy Needed To Curtail Drug And Alcohol Abuse.

PHILIPSBURG: --- The Minister of Justice has decided to start a public campaign in order to bring awareness about the high level of alcohol and drug abuse among young people in St. Maarten.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Tasheena Maccow Thomas of Turning Point said that there has been an increase in the use of drugs among young people in St. Maarten. Over the past two years, there has been an increase in drug and alcohol abuse, Young people are not only using marijuana, but they are also using cocaine and popping pills Read more

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WASHINGTON, D.C:---  The World Bank has approved a US$8 million grant that will exclusively focus on improving mental health services in Sint Maarten.

The Improving Mental Health Services Project is the twelfth project to be approved as part of the Sint Maarten Trust Fund Program. First proposed in 2021, the team led by World Bank experts made great strides over the last year to strategically design a project that brings sustainable, transformative benefits for the Sint Maarten population Read more

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~ Internal protocols discussed ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- "I am truly surprised by the recent public remarks made by a member of the Teaching fraternity of St.Maarten. Even more surprising is these remarks are from an educational assistant, Ms. Glenda Mussen who also is the General Secretary of WITU," said Stuart Johnson President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of the SMILE Jobseeker Course Program in the run-up to the St. Maarten Innovations, Initiatives and Industries Link-Up Event (SMILE), St. Maarten-born entrepreneur John A.M. Sandiford presented his "Personal Finance" Masterclass, 6-INGS. The masterclass is intended to coach financial literacy & planning on the often-tough road toward a dream job, taking into account the need for saving, investing, and personal growth development.

Based on his own previous struggles to make amends as a student in the Netherlands as well as his first steps as an entrepreneur, Sandiford created a personal finance framework that grew into a course that has helped out many students and young professionals in both the Caribbean as well as the Netherlands Read more

~Crisis Management Trainers Equipped to Safeguard St Maarten~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of General Affairs recently achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of the Training of Trainers course of the Fostering Resilient Crisis Management Project (FRCM-Project). The FRCM-Project facilitated by RESEMBID, and funded by the European Union, was an intensive training aimed at assembling and educating a group of competent crisis management trainers. These trainers will now play a crucial role in delivering crisis management training, workshops, and information sessions to internal as well as external parties in St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- We did not stumble into the present, and are not stumbling into our future, said Prof. Hillary Beckles to the CARICOM and African Union (AU) representatives at one session of the Reparations and Racial Healing Study Tour in Barbados, July 24 28, 2023.
The CARICOM-AU conference brought together perspectives from government and civil society leaders and Reparations advocates from the Caribbean, Africa, and African Diaspora communities on developing a unified front on Reparations from historical crimes Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  Fabio Doralice, is excited to announce the relative success of the pilot project for the Craft & Farmers Market. The market, held under the banner of Le Sommet Foundation, aimed to gauge community interest and support for local farmers and artisans. The results have been promising, and we are thrilled to continue the project with some notable enhancements.
Throughout the pilot period, the Craft & Farmers Market garnered net positive feedback from both vendors and patrons Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- When asked to explain her statement, MP Wescot mentioned the veiled threat she received,   Are you sure you want to do this? Its going to get nasty! A clear reference to the DPs announced return to the political field.

We see this threat manifesting itself from many angles. Some of it for money, some for sensation, and yet others from an angle  of plain and self-consuming hatred.

With respect to MP Brison's latest  disgraceful assault on one of St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament and Leader of the United People's UP Party, the honorable Rolando Brison, has lashed out at Democratic Party leader MP Sarah Wescot and her party, holding them responsible for decades of mismanagement in St Read more

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Court Of First Instance Rules In Favor Of Sint Maarten In Patrick Vs. Country Sint Maarten Case.

SIMPSON BAY:---  Last week, the Court of First Instance delivered a verdict in the case of Elvis Miguel Patrick v. the country of Sint Maarten, rejecting Patrick's and his business partner, Julian Rollocks Jr.s, claims and ruling in favor of the government.
Elvis Miguel Patrick, a business operator in Simpson Bay, and his partner Julian Rollocks Jr Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs has finalized the appointment of Ronald Halman, former Chairman of the General Audit Chamber, as the Sint Maarten Governments representative on the Steering Committee of the Trust Fund. Halman replaces former representative Marcel Gumbs, who recently retired after five years of dedicated service as a member of the Steering Committee Read more

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~Ministry of Finance & U.S. Consulate joined the delegation to build strategic relationships~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The winners of the National Youth Pitch Competition, Upcycl, and young entrepreneur Giomara Olivacce, embarked on an enriching journey to Atlanta, participating in the inaugural Islandpreneur Summer Entrepreneurial Exchange (ISEE) program. Representing Milton Peters College, Isaiah Peterson, Jael Jong a Lock, and Kymora Reed and winner of the International Youth Entrepreneurship Program (2021) spent a week in Atlanta learning about its entrepreneurial ecosystem, meeting with founders and investors, and exploring the uniqueness of Atlanta through a variety of curated attractions Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- In March 2022, St. Maarten's utility company GEBE fell victim to a devastating cyberattack that resulted in the loss of all its billing information. The consequences of this breach have been far-reaching, exposing a web of nepotism and favoritism within the company, which has left us, the citizens, grappling with confusion and soaring bills.
The graph illustrates the alarming trend in electricity bills since January 2021, with the red trend line showing a steep increase over the years Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament is delighted to announce the display of artwork by The Sint Maarten Youth Parliament under the title "The Seven Phases of the Moon". This art project, which showcases the talent and creativity of three young artists, Ms. Aljene Henry, Ms. Jemyah James, and Mr. Jahfier Marlin, captures the different phases of the moon.
The students have described the moon as a symbol of fertility, emotion, intuition, and change and have chosen to depict their paintings using the symbol of change, as the moon changes every night Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 81% of all deaths in the region of the Americas, of which 34% befall prematurely in people below the age of 70 years. The main NCDs that affect the region as well as St Maarten are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases. The PAHO/WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS) is a simple, standardized method for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data on key NCDs and their risk factors Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg Toastmasters Club, a prestigious organization dedicated to enhancing communication and leadership skills, is delighted to announce significant developments within the club. This includes the introduction of a dynamic new board, the induction of talented new members, and the recognition of exceptional achievements by existing members.
The club had a full agenda for their first meeting of the new Toastmasters year 2023-2024. The hybrid meeting was held on Thursday 6th July 2023 at the Carl and Sons cafe on the Pondfill Read more

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~CBCS Presents Best Economic Research Award 2023~

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) presented the Best Economic Research Award to high-school and university students for the third time this year. To be eligible for the award, HAVO and VWO students in Curaao and Sint Maarten had to submit their research paper for the subject of Economics. Students at the bachelors and masters levels could compete for a prize by submitting their graduation thesis Read more