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PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas will be RCI’s first ship to return to the destination on a commercial cruise visit on Sunday. A host of welcome activities has been planned by stakeholders to welcome the near 2000 guests.
The first RCI vessel on Sunday will kick-off weekly port calls from RCI cruise ships. Port St. Maarten Management would like to remind all stakeholders and the populace to continue to welcome our cruise passengers with a warm St Read more

HARBOUR VIEW:--- On Friday, December 15, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, met with and received an update from formateur Mr. Franklin Meyers on the progress regarding the pending points of the formation. Considering that the background screening of candidate ministers is still ongoing the formateur, therefore, requested a further extension of his commission to form a new government.
Governor Holiday as a result and having assessed the situation extended the commission for Mr Read more

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Governor Holiday Receives Update On Formation From F. Meyers

Harbour View – On Friday, December 15, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, met with and received an update from formateur Mr. Franklin Meyers on the progress regarding the pending points of the formation.

Considering that the background screening of candidate ministers is still ongoing the formateur therefore requested a further extension of his commission to form a new government.

Governor Holiday as a result and having assessed the situation extended the commission for Mr Read more

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Again A Stalemate Between The Government And One Of Its Companies With The Dump Caught In The Middle. 

Philipsburg, St. Maarten — The statement by the VROMI Minister, Honorable Christopher Emmanuel, regarding the landfill and his solution for this public hazard, has done nothing to convince the public that all is well with the umpteen plan for a Waste to Energy plant on St. Maarten.

This plan should allegedly also include the clearing of the dump site in the Salt Pond Read more

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Fortinet Donates Equipment To Re-Establish Communications In The Caribbean And Create Public Spaces To Access The Internet For Free

The cybersecurity company signed an agreement with local telecommunications providers to donate equipment, to be used in hotspots across various Caribbean islands

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT), a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, is donating IT equipment to provide public wireless access in St. Maarten, Antigua, Martinique and Guadalupe after hurricanes Irma and Maria severely impacted communications on these islands.

Fortinet signed a donation agreement with various local telecommunications providers to implement these public access points, to be installed in areas where large numbers of people tend to gather Read more

St. Maarten At Funding Mission And Energy Summit Cooperation With French St. Martin Seen As Way Forward

Great Bay, St. Maarten – Cooperation with the French side of St. Maarten is a key component for St. Maarten, in its ongoing rebuilding and development efforts. This is a prevalent sentiment of St. Maarten following its recent attendance of high level meetings held in Brussels.

At the invitation of the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union (OCTA), St. Maarten attended the 3rd Ministerial Energy Summit in Brussels, on December 6th and 7th. Utilizing the opportunity presented by this invitation, St Read more

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Ids 2017: Everybody Counts End Aids

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – World AIDS Day was observed on December 1st. It provided an opportunity to increase awareness, education and a greater understanding of HIV as a global public health issue.

This holiday season, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), calls on the Sint Maarten community to take time out to remember and pay respect and tribute to those that they have known who passed away from the disease.

CPS also reminds members of the community to practice safe sex this holiday season.

Currently there are many scientifically proven prevention options that health services can offer to help people prevent HIV infection and protect their health.

These measures include new options such as self-administered HIV testing, which can be done at home, and the availability of HIV testing in places other than health centers Read more

Cooperation with French St. Martin seen as way forward

GREAT BAY:--- Cooperation with the French side of St. Maarten is a key component for St. Maarten, in its ongoing rebuilding and development efforts. This is a prevalent sentiment of St. Maarten following its recent attendance of high-level meetings held in Brussels.

At the invitation of the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union (OCTA), St. Maarten attended the 3rd Ministerial Energy Summit in Brussels, on December 6th and 7th Read more

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Successful #Sxmstrong Art Auction Raises  15,000 Guilders Plus For Primary Schools

PHILIPSBURG –  The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, held an Art Auction on Saturday evening, the 9th of December 2017 at the Conference Room of the New Government Building in Philipsburg.

This project stemmed from the #SXMStrong Campaign which was held in the month of November and was facilitated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, together with General Affairs and Bearing Point. The initiative was taken to assist the schools after the devastation of Hurricane Irma and all proceeds from the bidding is given directly to the school that created the art work.

Invited guests and exuberant bidders in attendance included 1st Vice-President of the Collectivité Valerie Damaseau, Territorial Council Member Alex Pierre, Chief Advisor to The President Hervé Dorville, the Ombudsman Nilda Arduin, Members of Parliament Claret Conner and Tamara Leonard, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anastacio Baker, school board representatives, school managers, teachers and students.

Some 12 4×4 foot wooden boards used as easels by primary and afternoon schools featuring creativity and the emotions of the young artists were auctioned Saturday evening in the conference room at the Government Administration Building as part of the Road to St Read more

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Aids 2017: Everybody Counts End Aids.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- World AIDS Day was observed on December 1st. It provided an opportunity to increase awareness, education and a greater understanding of HIV as a global public health issue.

This holiday season, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), calls on the Sint Maarten community to take time out to remember and pay respect and tribute to those that they have known who passed away from the disease.

CPS also reminds members of the community to practice safe sex this holiday season.

Currently, there are many scientifically proven prevention options that health services can offer to help people prevent HIV infection and protect their health.

These measures include new options such as self-administered HIV testing, which can be done at home, and the availability of HIV testing in places other than health centers Read more

Parliament Scheduled Three Meetings On Tuesday December 12

Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations scheduled to meet on Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations (CKAIR), will meet on December 12, 2017.

The CKAIR Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 09.00 am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point to be discussed is:

Appointment of a chairman and vice-chairman of the committee

Continuation Central Committee meeting of Parliament about discussion with USM Board on the motives for the closure of USM on Tuesday morning December 5

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Read more

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Continuation Central Committee Meeting Of Parliament About Discussion With Usm Board On The Motives For The Closure Of Usm On Tuesday Morning December 5.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. USM Board members will be present.
The continuation of the urgent Central Committee meeting which was adjourned on November 28, and again on December 5, 2017 is scheduled for 10.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:
Discussion with USM Board members to discuss their feedback on the motives for the closure of this esteemed establishment (IS/142/2017-2018 dated November 22, 2017)

(This meeting was requested by MP T.E Read more

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Minister Jacobs Pledges Support To St. Maarten Youth Brigade

PHILIPSBURG  –  On Saturday December 9th the St. Maarten Youth Brigade, along with family and friends celebrated the promotion of its new recruits, cadets and Sergeants in a wonderful ceremony and reception which was also supported by the Prime Minister Rafael Boasman and Minister of Youth Silveria Jacobs.

Founder Zulayka Peterson spoke of the history of the St Read more

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Minister Jacobs Attends Beyond Kultura Book Launch

SIMPSON BAY –  On Friday evening, the Beyond Kultura Foundation launched its latest children’s book “Chella and the Weird Woman” by Loekie Morales at OBA OBA Restaurant and lounge in Simpson Bay. The book was baptized by the author in the presence of its “godparents” Francis Carty and Claudette Forsythe-Labega.

The bilingual book (Dutch and English translation on each page, is well written and utilized imagery and a fast paced story line to capture the imagination of readers Read more

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SIMPSON BAY:--- On Friday evening, the Beyond Kultura Foundation launched its latest children’s book “Chella and the Weird Woman” by Loekie Morales at OBA OBA Restaurant and lounge in Simpson Bay. The book was baptized by the author in the presence of its “godparents” Francis Carty and Claudette Forsythe-Labega.

The bilingual book (Dutch and English translation on each page, is well written and utilized imagery and a fast-paced storyline to capture the imagination of readers Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, December 9th the St. Maarten Youth Brigade, along with family and friends celebrated the promotion of its new recruits, cadets and Sergeants in a wonderful ceremony and reception which was also supported by the Prime Minister Rafael Boasman and Minister of Youth Silveria Jacobs.

Founder Zulayka Peterson spoke of the history of the St Read more

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Inselair Receives Permit To Operate To Surinam

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Thursday, December 7th 2017, InselAir has received the formal permit from the Surinam Civil Aviation Authorities. The flights are now opened
for sale without any restriction.

In line with industry practice InselAir already started selling tickets with the remark “pending government approval” before the official permit was actually granted. This remark has now been removed on the booking site.

On December 18th 2017, InselAir will s Read more

Sint Maarten Nature Foundation’S Bervoets Attends United Nations Ecosystem Based Management Workshop In Panama City, Panama

PANAMA – Managing Director of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Tadzio Bervoets this week attended the United Nations Environment Program/ Caribbean Environment Program’s meeting on Ecosystem Based Management in Panama City, Panama.  The United Nations’ Caribbean Environment Program (CEP) and Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) to the Cartagena Convention, have been aiming to promote and integrate the principles of ecosystem-based management approach throughout the insular Caribbean.

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is an environmental management approach that recognizes the variety of interactions within an ecosystem, including humans, rather than considering sonly ingle issues, species, or ecosystem services Read more

Marella Discovery Visit A Success.  Marella Celebration In Port On Friday

PORT ST. MAARTEN – Marella Discovery of Marella Cruises, formerly Thomson Cruises, and part of the TUI Group, the world’s leading travel company, was the second commercial cruise ship to visit Port St. Maarten.  The vessel docked along the cruise pier on Tuesday, December 5.

Cruise passengers were welcomed with Caribbean music from Dow Steel Pan Band along with a welcome banner, stilt walkers, dancers and the Carnival Queens.  Port St. Maarten also distributed complimentary #SXMStrong wrist bands to passengers who came ashore.

Throughout the day activities were held on the Boardwalk near the Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg that included a steel band; a mini-parade with the Youmay Drum Band, and DJ entertainment.  These were organized by the St Read more

SANTA CLARA, CA.:--- Sint Maarten telephone company TELEM GROUP, represented by CEO Kendall Dupersoy and Senior IT Administrator Edgardo Lynch, were at DELL EMC Executive Briefing Center in Santa Clara California this week.

The briefing was focused on Digital Transformation, specifically the challenges and opportunities resulting from technology innovation.

The visit was facilitated by DELL EMC Regional Manager Jose Torres and Computech NV represented by its Managing Partners Jean Arnell, Alain Roper and Senior Systems Engineer Johann Charlery.

The DELL EMC Executive Briefing Center offers a hands-on environment for businesses and governments to discover the value of DELL EMC portfolio of products and services, specifically for next-generation Software-Defined Datacenters based on Hyper-Converged Infrastructures.

The state-of-the-art facility offers customized briefings on DELL EMC and partner technologies, and key design strategies relating to IT Transformation, Workforce Transformation, and required Security Transformation to better meet the specific needs.

The 2-day Strategy Briefing focused on DELL EMC current and future line of Networking, Servers, Storage and Disaster Recovery technologies as well as DELL EMC solution for Microsoft Azure Stack which delivers Azure functions and services on-premise.

“TELEM GROUP is embarking on major Digital Transformation initiative both internally and to support new customer needs Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- A meeting that could have brought some answers to many lingering questions was obstructed again by NA members of parliament. I dutifully followed the rules and vacated the chair’s seat to speak on the topic, only to see the same old games being played. This would have been the right place for ministers to clarify and respond to concerns that exist in the community.
I expected the Minister of VROMI, who continues to rant on radio programs about the Simpsonbay Lagoon to provide proof of his allegations; I expected information regarding the border control agreement, to allay fears that this agreement would infringe upon the open borders between the 2 sides of the island;
I expected the answers to how the government was dealing with the finances of government, knowing that we have a serious budget deficit, and the 50 million guilders budgeted for extra coast because of hurricane Irma; as well as answers on the roof repair program and food voucher program.
I wanted to know what government plans are for the homeless persons still in shelters at the Festival Village and the Little League ballpark.
I want(ed) to know what new labor policies are being devised, given the “new realities” of our labor market.
I want(ed) to know the truth about pledges from (government-owned) companies.
I wanted government’s take on the election resolution and the fact that the 3 months period, stipulated in the constitution, has not been observed.
I wanted to know about insurance, adjusters, and payouts in general, and for government and government companies in particular.
“Some argue that there is much happening and there is some truth to that Read more

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PANAMA CITY, Panama:--- Managing Director of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Tadzio Bervoets this week attended the United Nations Environment Program/ Caribbean Environment Program’s meeting on Ecosystem-Based Management in Panama City, Panama. The United Nations’ Caribbean Environment Program (CEP) and Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) to the Cartagena Convention, have been aiming to promote and integrate the principles of ecosystem-based management approach throughout the insular Caribbean Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Presenting the candidates to the public via the media gives the people the opportunity to become acquainted with their prospective parliamentarian prior to the upcoming elections. In this article the Leader of the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), Wycliffe Smith, takes pleasure in introducing Richard A Read more

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Continuation Central Committee Meeting Of Parliament About Discussion With Usm Board On The Motives For The Closure Of Usm On Tuesday Morning.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. USM Board members will be present for the first agenda point.
The continuation of the urgent Central Committee meeting which was adjourned on November 28, 2017 is scheduled for 10.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

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