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Draft Legislation For Crime Fund, Presented To Minister Of Justice, Lyndon Lewis

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Ministry of Justice reached a significant milestone, as the Minister of Justice, Lyndon C. J. Lewis, was presented with the draft legislation for the Crime Fund. This development marks a crucial step towards modernizing and improving the management, supervision, and accountability of the Crime Fund, an area identified as lacking in the current, outdated legislation. This initiative is also a part of the broader country package measure aimed at enhancing the efficiency and oversight of the Crime Fund.

The draft legislation was prepared by a dedicated group of civil servants, who undertook this project as their final assignment to achieve certification as legislative lawyers, a program offered to them by the Caribbean Center for Legislation.

The Minister of Justice expressed profound gratitude to the civil servants for their hard work and dedication Read more

Minister Of Justice Lyndon Lewis Addresses Increase In Gun Violence

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis has issued a statement addressing the recent increase in gun violence on the island. This follows a series of troubling incidents that have raised concerns within the community.

“The KPSM has begun their investigation into the recent surge in gun violence,” said Minister Lewis Read more

Lewis Condemns Gun Violence, Says Culprits Will Face Full Extent Of Law

The wave of fear in the community intensified on Monday when news started circulating that a fourth shooting had occurred, this time on Bush Road. The shooting occurred around 3:20am. A male was injured. He was transported to St Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and had been undergoing treatment. His condition was listed as serious, but stable. Mondays shooting followed three shootings in two districts on Saturday: two in Dutch Quarter and one in Simpson Bay in which three males were injured and nursing gunshot wounds in SMMC Read more

Open Letter To Our Honorable Minister Of Justice Mr. Lyndon C.J. Lewis

It is with great admiration that the people of Sint Maarten are experiencing the vigor which you put in your work for this country and it is therefore that we believe that you have the courage to take eventual unpopular decisions if needed.

For the last few years Sint Maarten has experienced some brutal murder cases, most of which remain unsolved and as an officer of the law yourself, this is a disturbing factor. One reason for this might be the shortage of staff to conduct a proper investigation and the tools available for such Read more

Reunification Of Ana Carolina Lazaro Cuevas And Her Children.

Good day to the people of Sint Maarten.

Today, I extend my heartfelt strength and love to the people of the Cayman Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Grenada, and the Carriacou Island. Additionally, I wish a happy Fourth of July to all American citizens residing in Sint Maarten.

Turning to today’s topic, I want to address the recent return of Miss Anna Carolina Lazaro Cuevas, who was reunited with her children yesterday, July 3rd, 2024. There has been considerable discussion surrounding this event, and I would like to provide some clarity.

Ms Read more

Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell Attends Several Commemoration Events

THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Honorable Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, attended several formal events related to the transatlantic slavery commemoration and wreath-laying.

There was a march through the streets of The Hague which she attended followed by an extensive commemoration program organized by the National Institute for the Dutch Slavery History and Heritage (NiNsee).

During this annual commemoration we reflect on the very painful history of the transatlantic slavery past Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, 8 July 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 9 July 2024 THE FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED WEATHER:This Afternoon: Generally cloudy and hazy with few showers and possible isolated thunderstorms.Tonight, through Tuesday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy and hazy with brief showers possible.  Forecast High: 31C / 88F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77F Sunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:43 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This Afternoon through Tuesday midday: Northeasterly to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph, and higher gusts possible.SYNOPSIS: Moisture and instability associated with a tropical wave will continue to affect the local area Read more

First Strike Of Commemorative Farewell Antillean Guilder Coin

The 5-guilder Farewell NAf. commemorative coin.

PHILIPSBURG--The inaugural strike of the five-guilder Farewell NAf. commemorative coin was celebrated at the Royal Dutch Mint (KNM) in Houten, the Netherlands recently.

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Mercelina: Down Payment Made, Generators Should Arrive Mid-July

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina

PHILIPSBURG--Utilities company NV GEBE has made the initial down payment for the rental of ten-megawatt (MW) container generators and the generators are expected to be delivered to the country by mid-July provided there are no unforeseen delays.

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GovT Asks Pjiae To Pay Overdue Passenger Security Fees Enacted By Law Since 2019

GREAT BAY The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has requested the Princess Juliana International Airport operating company (PJIAE), to make overdue payments to government derived from the security fee of one dollar per passenger, established by law since 2019 as a critical financial support to enhance the Ministrys civil aviation activities.

Heyliger-Marten explained the importance of this fee when she said: The contributions from the security fee are vital for our civil aviation activities, which ensure the safety and security of our airport operations.

Besides, achieving Category 1 status is a top priority, and continued support from PJIAE, which will also benefit from it, is essential to realizing this goal.

According to the Minister, previous administrations were apparently preoccupied with introducing other levies that threatened to cripple the economy Read more

A Message From Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina On Hurricane BerylS Impact

Philipsburg — “Hurricane Beryl has tested our resilience in the Caribbean region, but in the face of this adversity, our unity and strength shine through,” declared Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina.

He added, “You are not just enduring this storm; you are standing together, stronger than ever.”

“I urge everyone to extend a helping hand to those in distress and I wholeheartedly applaud our local community initiatives to support those affected,” emphasized Prime Minister Mercelina Read more

Szv Hosted Workshop On Managing Pension Benefits And Holistic Health & Wellness

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten SZV Social and Health Insurance hosted a workshop for a mixed group of persons on retirement and preparing for retirement on Friday, May 31, in collaboration with the St. Maarten Library. The workshop, held at the St. Maartens Library satellite location in Belvedere, aimed to empower participants with information and practical tips about managing their pension benefits, maintaining health and wellness while on retirement, eating and sleeping well, and taking care of their brain health.

SZV’s Manager of Pension & Cessantia, Renatto Rodriguez, alongside Corporate Communications Manager Charonne Holder, provided tips and reminders to improve financial planning before and during retirement and important administrative obligations when receiving AOV pension benefits from SZV Read more

Grisha Not In Favor Of Contract Renewal For Airport Ceo

GREAT BAY Under no circumstances should the contract of the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Princess Juliana International Airport operating company (PJIAE), Brian Mingo, be renewed when it expires in December. That is the position of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, as expressed in a letter dated July 4, 2024, to the Managing Director of the airport holding company (PJIAH), Perry Wilson.

The letter was an acknowledgement of a correspondence of June 20, 2024, from PJIAH giving detailed answers to questions the Minister had posed regarding the airport.

FILE PHOTO !!!!

Further to your response, Minister Heyliger-Marten wrote, I would like to clarify my position regarding the upcoming transition in leadership Read more

DATE ISSUED: Friday, 5 July 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 6 July 2024WEATHER:This afternoon: Partly cloudy to cloudy and hazy with isolated showers and possible thunder.Tonight through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy and hazy with a local shower possible.Forecast High: 33C / 91F              Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:42 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Saturday midday: Southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 13 mph.SYNOPSIS: Lingering moisture and instability will maintain cloudiness and a high chance for isolated showers with the possibility of thunder this afternoon Read more

Deputy Prime Minister Patrice Gumbs Updating The Nation With The Latest Update On Gebe

This is A few moments ago, GEBE informed me that we are experiencing an island-wide blackout. All efforts are being made to restore power which will be followed by a swift assessment of the situation.

As we continue to navigate these energy challenges, I ask for your patience and thank you for your continued understanding as GEBE works to address this matter. I also want to thank the dedicated workers of GEBE for their tireless efforts during this time.

We will monitor the sit Read more

OMC leader Olivier Arrindell and members of his team at the Government Building. (John Halley photo)

PHILIPSBURG--Oualichi Movement for Change (OMC) and Soualiga Action Movement (SAM) on Wednesday secured sufficient signatures to contest the August 19, snap parliamentary elections on Endorsement Day held at the Department of Civil Registry at the Government Building from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Each party had to obtain a total of 144 signatures from eligible voters and both parties surpassed this number.

Chairperson of the Central Voting Bureau Nathalie Tackling speaking to a reporter at the Government Building Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, 4 July 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 5 July 2024A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL 6PM TODAYWEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated showers and possible thunderstorms.Forecast High: 31C / 88F               Forecast Low: 27C / 81FSunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:42 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Easterly to southeasterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 9 to 16 mph, and possible higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Lingering moisture and instability associated with a recent tropical wave will cause cloudy periods, isolated showers, and possible isolated thunderstorms Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Wednesday July 03, 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) July 04, 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through evening: Warm, breezy, and hazy.
Overnight through Thursday midday: Increasingly cloudy and breezy with scattered showers and thunderstorms.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:42 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: East northeast to east southeast with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 22 mph, and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A combination of Saharan Dust and drier air will maintain hazy skies and hot conditions today Read more

Emilio Wilson Park Awash In Red To Mark 161 Years Since Emancipation

Parliament Chairperson Sarah Wescot-Williams and MP Silveria Jacobs were the first two officials to join the dancers at the end of Monday mornings Emancipation Day commemoration Read more

Grisha Floats Idea Of City Manager For Town With Ima

TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten (right) with members of the Indian Merchants Association last week.

 PHILIPSBURG--The possible introduction of a City Manager to develop strategies aimed at attracting not only residents and cruise visitors to Philipsburg, but also stop-over and stay-over guests was discussed recently.

A City Manager was one of the proposed strategies for improving the tourist product, which Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), discussed with an Indian Merchants Association (IMA) delegation at a meeting last week.

The Minister outlined the actions already taken to enhance the Marketplace and improve the product and visitor experience in town and other parts of the island, and plans for the beautification of St Read more

Buncamper Questions Gebe Green Energy Plan

Deputy Leader of the Nation, Opportunity, Wealth (NOW) party former Member of Parliament Claudius Buncamper has expressed serious concerns about the government’s approach to solving the ongoing load-shedding issue managed by GEBE, the island’s primary electricity provider. He said the Parliamentary meeting held on June 25th intended to clarify the government’s plan, instead unveiled a series of alarming revelations and uncertainties.

The session saw coalition partners voicing little confidence in the proposed solutions, culminating in a faction walking out Read more

Minister Of Teatt Floats Idea Of City Manager With Indian Merchants Association

GREAT BAY The possible introduction of a City Manager to develop strategies aimed at attracting not only residents and cruise visitors to Philipsburg but also stop-over or stay-over guests was discussed recently.

A City Manager was one of the proposed strategies for improving the tourist product, which Hon. Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), discussed with a delegation of the Indian Merchants Association (IMA) at a meeting last week.

The Minister outlined the actions already taken to enhance the Marketplace and improve the product and visitor experience in town and other parts of the island, and plans for the beautification of St Read more

Air Canada Increases Flights To St. Maarten

GREAT BAY Air Canada has announced a new Montreal St. Maarten flight and a doubling of its existing twice weekly Toronto Pearson (YYZ), starting November 17, 2024.

Flight AC 1362, will leave Montreal (YUL) for St. Maarten at 10:15 am and arrive here at 3:55 pm, while the return flight AC1363 will depart St. Maarten at 4:55 pm to arrive Montreal at 8:55 pm. This new flight will use the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a seating capacity of 169, out of which 16 are business class.

This is good news for us, said Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), who welcomed the announcement as a positive sign for what can be expected in terms of stay-over passengers in the coming high season.

The expansion means that Air Canada will operate five (5) flights to the island, the new Montreal route (on Sunday) and the Toronto route, which has been expanded to four, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, as per Air Canadas 2024/2025 winter schedule.

In spite of the constraints regarding availability of aircraft, Air Canadas performance evaluation has led to identifying potential room for growth into SXM.

Although this is seasonal, we are going to do all within our power to ensure that the flights remain at the same levels beyond the winter season, Minister Heyliger-Marten said.

The post Air Canada Increases Flights to St Read more

Purchasing Power Caribbean Netherlands Declined In 2022

Purchasing power in the Caribbean Netherlands declined in 2022, partly due to high inflation. Statistics Netherlands CBS reported this last week on the basis of new figures.

 

KRALENDIJK--Purchasing power in the Caribbean Netherlands declined in 2022, partly due to high inflation. On Bonaire, purchasing power declined by 4.2% compared to 2021, on St Eustatius by 3.3% and on Saba by 1.6% Read more