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PHILIPSBURG:---  In an ongoing effort to alleviate traffic congestion during school rush hours, the Ministry of Justice hosted a vital transportation meeting on Sunday, November 5th, 2023, at the Government Administrative Building. The meeting gathered school bus owners, drivers, and key stakeholders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced and to discuss potential solutions to the ongoing traffic issues.

The meeting also saw active participation from a diverse group of attendees, including the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, and Sports (ECYS), Drs Read more

PHLIPSBURG:--- As the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, and someone who has held public office in this great nation, I stake my reputation on passion and dedication to service in the political arena. I have never wavered in my integrity and service to the people of St. Maarten. Because of this, I initially had no intention to respond to the ridiculous allegations being made against me.
Contrary to what has been promoted by Mr. Arrindell, this civil case is to ensure the freedom of speech as guaranteed by our constitution in article 10, cannot lead to a violation of other human rights an individual has, such as the right to privacy and family life Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  Shirley Hilaire has joined the United People's UP Party to contest the 2024 Parliamentary Elections on St. Maarten after serving for several years as executive assistant to Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and running as a United Democrat candidate.
Hilaire cited irreconcilable differences with "new blood" entering the Democratic Party whose approach and policies do not align with her beliefs as the main reason for leaving Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Lieutenant Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of the Ecumenical Knights of Malta has ordered the Chancellor of Foreign Affairs Charles Markeaton Mundy to withdraw the appointment of Ambassador at Large granted to Olivier Arrindell with immediate effect as soon as he became aware of the controversy between Arrindell and the Government of St. Maarten.

An email was sent to Oliver Arrindell on Sunday morning informing him of the decisions taken by the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of the Ecumenical Knights of Malta.
Arrindell was informed that since he was appointed nothing has happened in the Dominican Republic or the Caricom countries.
The withdrawal of the appointment takes immediate effect.

The OSJ had no knowledge of this until now and apologized to the Prime Minister for the misuse of the appointment.
SMN News also contacted Mundy for a statement on the appointment of Oliver Arrindell as an Ambassador at Large, Mundy said Arrindell was recommended by well-respected persons in the Dominican Republic in the year 2020 Read more

Cibc Firstcaribbean Has Announced That It Is Rebranding To Cibc

Re-brand to be completed during the banks new financial year

Bridgetown, Barbados —As it enters a new financial year, FirstCaribbean International Bank Limited has announced that the leading Caribbean bank is re-branding its business to adopt the name of its parent, CIBC. Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mark St. Hill, made the announcement to his staff this morning.

St. Hill noted that the adoption of the CIBC brand is a show of confidence of the banks parent bank, and a sign of its commitment to the Caribbean region Read more

Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake Will Be The New Acting Governor Of Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Silveria Jacobs, on behalf of the Council of Ministers, is pleased to congratulate Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake on the approval of her nomination as Acting Governor of Sint Maarten. In her function as Acting Governor Dr. Bird Lake will replace His Excellency Ajamu Baly, in his duty as Governor of Sint Maarten, in the event he is unable to perform them. Born on Sint Maarten, Dr Read more

PHILIPSBURG: --- A third candidate who was supposed to be on the United Peoples Party (UPP) slate has resigned. SMN News learned that Melisa Molanus who announced earlier this year that she was running on the UPP slate has resigned from the party,  however, in the resignation letter Molanus did not give any particular reason for her resignation Read more

Businessman Oliver Arrindell Did Not Appear In Case Brought Against Him Pm Jacobs.

 ~ Defense admits that Arrindell went too far. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- The Court of First Instance had to make two courtrooms available on Friday afternoon to accommodate members of the public who showed up at the Courthouse in support of Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs who filed a civil case against businessperson Olivier Arrindell for slander and defamation.
Arrindell who is currently in Congo Africa, was supposed to attend the hearing virtually but he did not do so because he claimed that his internet connection in Africa was not stable Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Omar Ottley, convened a quarterly meeting at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) on November 2nd to follow up on the progress of the construction process of the St. Maarten General Hospital. The meeting witnessed a presentation by Finso representative, highlighting the processes, bottlenecks, and outcomes achieved thus far.

The construction of the technologically advanced building is currently in full swing, with the wastewater treatment plant being simultaneously developed Read more

 

DATE ISSUED: Friday 3rd November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (18:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) November 04, 2023 

WEATHER:    

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Mostly fair. The isolated shower is likelier overnight. 

Forecast High: 32 C / 90F              Forecast Low: 27C / 81F 

   

Sunset Today: 5:39 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:13 A.M.   

   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph and higher gusts. 

  

SYNOPSIS:   

The atmosphere is dry and stable, and low-level wind speeds have increased Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Rolando Brison, Member of Parliament and leader of the United People's Party, is raising critical concerns about the potential consequences of proposed financial regulations from the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten Read more

Court Sides With Zebec, Considers Theo Was Lord And Master At Port

PHILIPSBURG--In an interim ruling, the court on Tuesday considered that Theo Heyliger was lord and master in Port St. Maarten for many years and with a group of enablers sabotaged the development of a shopping and entertainment centre in the cruise port ten years ago. To reach a final verdict, the court gave Heyliger the opportunity to Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Recognizing the importance of outdoor sports and the positive impact they have on physical health and social well-being, Minister Omar Ottley has prioritized this project to revitalize the community's recreational spaces. The project includes the replacement of damaged backboards and nets on all outdoor community basketball courts across the island, ensuring that residents of all ages can enjoy the sport in well-maintained facilities.

Minister Omar Ottley emphasizes that the initiative is a significant step towards promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle in the community Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, November 02, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) November 03, 2023

WEATHER: 

This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy and hazy with brief isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 32 C / 90F              Forecast Low: 28C / 82F

  

Sunset Today: 5:40 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:12 A.M.  

  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Friday midday: East northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 08 to 16 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

Despite a relatively stable atmosphere, pockets of moisture at the lower levels of the atmosphere may cause isolated showers as they move across the local area Read more

Ministry Of Justice Presents Draft Legislation For Passenger Identification Prior To Boarding

(From left to right) Senior Policy Advisor of Ministry of Justice Erling Hoeve, Head of Immigration Jocelyn Levenstone, Minister of Justice Anna Richardson and attorney Gerald de Jong

 

PHILIPSBURG--More than five years after it was deemed indispensable for Country St. Maarten, the Ministry of Justice has drafted legislation for the Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) Read more

ItS Been Long Enough Sarah Wants Ottley To Take Urgent Action On Vaping

MP Sarah Wescot-Williams

 

PHILIPSBURG--United Democrats (UD) Member of Parliament (MP) Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased in the third quarter of 2023 to 109.44, which represented an increase of 0.69% when compared to the previous quarter. Additionally, when comparing consumer prices in the past year quarter three of 2022 to quarter three of 2023 the results show a notable increase of 2.00%.

A Comparison of 2023 Q3 with 2023 Q2 revealed the highest Increases were in restaurants and hotels.

In the third quarter of 2023, prices rose in 10 of the 12 expenditure categories when compared to the second quarter of 2023 Read more

~Says Marketplace project started years ago and is partially financed by a cruise line. ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- In response to questions posed by SMN News regarding the marketplace project that was announced by the Minister of TEATT Arthur Lambriex and was highlighted by a former cabinet staff of TEATT on Tuesday evening accusing the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion of holding up the project and playing politics with the peoples business Read more

 

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 01st November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) November 02, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy and hazy with brief local showers possible. 

Forecast High: 32 C / 90F             

Forecast Low: 28C / 82F 

   

Sunset Today: 5:40 P.M.                  

Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:12 A.M.   

   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Easterly with a gentle breeze of 8 to 12 mph. 

  

SYNOPSIS:   

Generally fair conditions due to a dry and stable atmosphere will limit shower activity Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  On Thursday, October 26, the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, led by the Honorable Minister Omar Ottley, hosted a symposium focused on the transition from active labor to retirement. The information session was to inform the stakeholders of the data received based on the research carried out on the labor market Read more

Oranje School School Closed On Wednesday

Oranje School on Front Street.

~ Urgent measures for repairs and relocation to be implemented ~

FRONTSTREET--In an effort to prioritise the safety and well-being of pupils and faculty, Oranje School will undergo a one-day closure on Wednesday, November 1. The closure is necessary to carry out essential roof repairs, air-conditioning upgrades, and general maintenance.
The Minister of Justice made the announcement in a press release on Tuesday evening, highlighting the urgent need for electrical rewiring and repairs in some of the schools classrooms Read more

~Acting Ministers collaborate to strategize efforts on a proposal for repairs.~

PHILIPSBURG:---  Oranje School, a monumental public school of the primary division, will encounter a one-day closure on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. This urgent closure is due to essential roof repairs, air-conditioning, and general maintenance to ensure the safety and well-being of both students and faculty.

Some of the school's classrooms are currently in dire need of electrical rewiring, and repairs which caused discomfort and health concerns for the primary school teachers and students Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  Educating individuals on the principles of Corporate Governance continues to be the top priority for the Council of Ministers. Recently the second pilot program for young professionals was launched. In the virtual kick-off session, the Minister of Finance, who has been at the forefront of this initiative, delivered the introductory remarks. During the first in-person session, the Prime Minister, Ms. Silveria Jacobs, extended a warm welcome to the 16 selected candidates Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- MP Wescot in her statement explained that NAF. 60 million guilders have been approved as loans for the budgeted capital projects in 2023 and it is remarkable that the CFT recently admonished the Finance Ministry to make haste with the projected capital loans and projects.

While the amended budget 2023 is nowhere yet in sight, let alone the 2024 budget, the CBCS has published the loan offer and the minister of finance has announced most of the projected capital projects, which according to the 2023 budget notes should be ready to go, stated MP Wescot.

Singling out 2 projects as an example, the MP stated that we wouldve expected that projects such as the Dutch Quarter improvements and the Philipsburg Market would have been eagerly announced by name and date.

In the capital budget 2023, an amount of NAf Read more